University Likely Winner Of Men’s Basketball

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 15

University Likely Winner Of Men’s Basketball

University virtually assured itself of the 1968 A grade inter-club men’s basketball championship when it beat its nearest challenger, Y-Boys, 48 points to 26, in the main game at Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

Even taking the bye into account, University has a clear lead of four points in the competition and only has to win one of its last three games to at least finish first equal. And it is by no means certain that either YBoys or Old Boys will go through the remaining rounds unbeaten.

Old Boys moved to second place equal with Y-Boys after their outstanding 71-41 win over Old Maroons. However, they have not yet had their bye and so in effect are still in third position. On Saturday Old Boys overran Old Maroons, a side which is far from weak, with open, fast moving basketball which has generally been missing from senior matches this season.

Y.M.C.A., too, had a comfortable win. It beat Burnham, 53-15, after dominating the second spell. Points after 17 rounds are: University 26, Y-Boys 20, Old Boys 20, Y.M.C.A. 17, Old Maroons 11, Burnham 6, Rex 2. TOO GOOD UNIVffRSITY 48: P. Stlgley 13. J. Utley 11. J. Landells 8. D. de Lisle 8. J. Culliford 6, J. Stead 2. Y-BOYS 26: R. D*w 9, K- Ewings 8, K. Williams 6, C. Morris 3. Approaching top form tn time for the universities’ tournament. University was too good for Y-Boys and thoroughly deserved its win. University had to fight for its points the game was not as one-sided as the score indicated.

The main difference in the two teams was in their scoring rate. Y-Boys’ offensive play was not nearly so effective as that of the students, who always made full use of their consider able height advantage. University would have dominated even more had it not been for the fine performance of K. Ewings, the Y-Boys centre. Ewings, who is not known for his consistency of performance, on Saturday rose to the occa sion magnificently and was at least a match for any of the opposition.

In defence, there was little between the two teams. J. Culliford badly beat his Y-Boys marker, R. Dew, on several occasions but his breaks were generally covered by C. Morris, who played another outstanding defensive game for YBoys. Close marking prevented his becoming a serious threat on attack. P. Stigley and J. Utley, the two tallest men on the court, were oustanding for University. Both rebounded strongly and scored half their side’s points between them. University led 26-15 at halftime. HIGH SCORING OLD BOYS 71: K. Luxton 23, A Hounsell 19, T. Guthrie 12, S. Taggart 9, K. Milligan 4. M. Gleason 4. OLD MAROONS 41: J. Edyvean 14, w. Sipith 11, J. Lorentz 7, R. Thomson 7. J. Riley 2. In a game remarkable for its

high scoring, Old Boys overwhelmed Old Maroons, without two of their key players, E. Retter and K. Fricker, because of injury. Old Boys by half-time had established a 42-18 lead. In the second half Old Boys’ concentration slipped and Old Maroons were able to make some headway. K. Luxton was in brilliant form for Old Boys. He was equally as efficient on a hard drive for the basket as with a long set shot, in the centre. A. Hounsell, had an outstanding game and T. Guthrie, whose scoring potential usually seems rather limited, earned 12 points For Old Maroons, J. Edyvean scored 14 points. Unfortunately, some of thse came from ‘sea-gull-type” play and his absence from the defensive line often placed an unnecessary burden on his team-plates. The most effective player in the side was undoubtedly W. E. Smith.

EASY WIN Y.M.C.A. 53: M. Clements 15, D. Rattray 10, B. Hepenstall 10. D. Symonds 8, P. Ross 4. A. Riley 4, J. Thompson 2.

lURHHAM 15: J. Horan 8. G. Costello 4, A. Simons 2. W. Cauldwell 1.

The Burnham players prob ably reached their lowest point of the season in this game Y.M.C.A. led 30-12 at half time and with superb defence in the second spell allowed Burnham to increase its score by only

three points. M. Clements, D. Rattray and B. Hepenstall all flayed sound, aggressive basetball. D. Symonds’s energetic display was rewarded with some fine goals. For Burnham, G. Costello rebounded well but should have scored many more points than he did. J. Horan, with eight, was Burnham’s only effective scorer. OTHER RESULTS A Reserve.—Rangiora A 23. Orients B 23; Y-Boys E 34. Orients A 22; 1.8. M. A 47, Lincoln College A 30. B Grade.—Wigram A 34. Y.M.C.A. B 28; Y-Boys B 32. Cashmere H.S. 23; Christchurch B.H.S. A 31. Old Boys C 26; Taxes 44, Y.M.C.A. C 38. B Reserve.—Rangiora C 20. University F 20; Rex C 28. University G 20; Burnside A 42, Taxes B 10. C Grade.—Old Boys C 32. Wigram-Police 21; Toe H 48. Burnham B 35; University D 28. N.A.C. A 20: Star A 56. Y-Beys C 24. C Reserve.—Lincoln College B 23, Burnside B 14; 1.8. M. B 13. Y-Boys D 10; Deaf Club 16, Orients C 8. D Grade.—Christchurch B.H.S. B 32, Mairehau H.S. 27; Old Boys D 52, University E 22; University D 23, N.A.C. A 20; Stars B 21, N.A.C. B 20 Under-20.—Y.M.C.A. D beat Mairehau A, by default; St Andrew’s Cqllege A 31, Rangiora H.S. 25; St Andrew's College B 38, Christ’s College 16: Shirley B.H.S. A 40, Shirley B.H.S. B 15.