Basketball Won By Canterbury

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 15

Basketball Won By Canterbury

(N.Z. Press Association) GISBORNE. It was a case of Canterbury first, the rest nowhere, when the national basketball championships ended on Saturday.

Canterbury won the first grade, Canterbury Country, the only team to win every game played, dominated the third grade, and Canterbury players spearheaded the South Island attack which beat the North Island, 28-26, in the inter-island game.

Well led by the international, J. Harnett, Canterbury played fast, enterprising basketball, and the only blemish on its record was the drawn game against Wellington early in the tournament On Saturday, Canterbury beat Auckland, 32-22, and defeated Hutt Valley, 37-23. Wellington was in the race until Saturday morning when it was beaten by Hutt Valley and then went down to Rotorua.

Canterbury Country won promotion to the second grade without losing a game in the third grade, its closest call coming against Poverty Bay.

With the New Zealand title in sight, Canterbury set to work against Auckland with methodical determination. Auckland matched its style in the early minutes of the game forsaking its usual fast-leaping game for more deliberate moves.

The New Zealand represent! tives, P. Hamilton, partnered Canterbury’s goal-shoot, S. Norman. but only on rare occasions did she manage to outshine the young Canterbury player. It was a cat-and-mouse game until near half-time when Canter bury’s concerted attack paid off and gave it a three-goal advant age, 14-11.

Auckland adopted different tactics as the game progressed and the tall forwards, L. Hau raki and L. Meek used fast passes in and out of the goa» circle to find easier shooting positions, but their efforts were futile.

The Canterbury and South Island goal-keeper, M. Simeonidis, did not yield an inch and Auckland missed vital shots and lost possession with care less passing. S. Jones and C. Holland supported M. Simeonidis with ad mirable tenacity and made the openings from which J. Harnett and S. Norman were able to score.

When Canterbury met Hutt Valley it was already assured of top position; but it remained to be seen whether Canterbury would win outright or share honours with Wellington. Hutt Valley was an accomplished side, with three North Island representatives, and Canterbury went quickly into action. The first half was a triumph for S. Norman, who shot bril liantly from all positions and was well fed by Harnett, S. Langrope and C. Cottrell. The Hutt Valley forwards were nevei happy and interest waned as Canterbury’s score mounted rapidly, so that it led 24-11 at half-time.

Canterbury played into the ind in the second spell and

failed to maintain the pressure at the same pitch. With M. Me Lauchlan now shooting with greater accuracy Hutt Valley fought back. Canterbury’s forwards were unable to elude their defence with the same ease but they never lost ground. Cottrell gave sterling service at centre and Canterbury’s first half lead assured it of a run away victory and the New Zealand Cup. Results and final points were: First Grade

South Canterbury 29, Manawatu 20; Hutt Valley 35, South land 35: Wanganui 24, Matamata 21; Rotorua 28, Wellington 27; Otago 28, South Canterbury 27; Canterbury 32, Auckland 22; Wellington 35 Southland 18; Manawatu 23, Wanganui 19: Auckland 38, Rotorua 22: Canter bury 37, Hutt Valley 23; Otago 23, Matamata 18.

Points: Canterbury 19 Wei lington 17. Otago 14, Hutt Valley 13, South Canterbury 10, Auckland 10 Rotorua 10. Southland 8, Manawatu 5. Matamata 2. Wanganui 2. Third Grade Canterbury Country 18. South Waikato 14; Waikato sub-asso-ciations 13, Marlborough 12: Poverty Bay 10 Western Bay of Plenty 9; wairarapa 6, Ashburton 4; Te Kawau 4, North Otago 0.

Points: Canterbury Country 30, South Waikato 26, Marlborough 27. Wairarapa 9. Te Kawau 24, Western Bay of Plenty 29, Waikato sub-associa-tions 30. Ashburton 23, Poverty Bay 28 North Waikato 24.

Student Newspapers. The student newspaper, “Cante,” was awarded first place equal in a competition held among the student newspapers. It was equal with “Craccum,” the Auckland University student newspaper.