Splendid basketball gives Canterbury strong title chance

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33944, 10 September 1975, Page 32

Splendid basketball gives Canterbury strong title chance

(From

ROD DEW)

WELLINGTON.

Canterbury remained unbeaten and enhanced its title chances with two splendid victories _ in the Rothmans New Zealand men’s basketball championship at Newtown Stadium, Wellington, yesterday.

It played well in defeating the strong Panmure line-up, 75-74, in the afternoon, and last evening in a rousing 99-53 win over the weaker Napier team.

Panmure’s loss was by the narrowest of margins, but it effectively ended its hopes bf reaching the semi-finals on Friday. It was previously beaten by Wellington, which now is Canterbury’s biggest threat in section play.

Canterbury will meet Wellington this evening in a match that promises to be the highlight of the tournament. Irrespective of which side wins, both are almost sure to qualify for the semifinals. Only a major upset against weak opposition tomorrow could upset this prediction. Tough double The likely qualifiers from the other section are not yet clear. Auckland, North Shore, the defending champion, and Nelson all registered big wins yesterday, but they have yet to play each other. Auckland, its 6ft 7in American, Don Orndorff, dominating backboard play to an unusual degree, is looking good. It will meet both Nelson and North Shore in a tough doubleheader today.

The match between Panmure and Canterbury yesterday was tough. Both teams were fully aware of the importance of the result and were at maximum effort from the start. The pressure never let up and neither side gained a lasting advantage.

Panmure led at the end of the first spell, 37-34. But there was nothing in it. The deadlock continued for the first smin of the second spell before Canterbury, shooting with remarkable accuracy, gained a sevenpoint break. A strong rally brought Panmure back into a challenging position before Canterbury again surged ahead. Run too late

With 3min remaining, Canterbury led, 71-63, and

seemed to have the game won. But in the dying stages the southern players became disorganised under a fullcourt press and Panmure piled on the points. Three disastrous losses of possession aggravated the pressure, but Panmure had left its run too late, and when the game ended Canterbury was still one point in front. Canterbury won the match with its defence as much as anything else. It practically guarded the Panmure and New Zealand centre, Stan Hill (6ft 9in), out of the game. The talented American, Steve McKean, used all his considerable skill and guile to score 22 points to

provide the main offensive thrust for Panmure but it was not quite enough. Canterbury’s success was particularly impressive because it was achieved with extensive use of young players. The old guard of Stewart Ferguson, John Fairweather, and Tim Guthrie did well enough, but the starting centre, Rodger Millard, fouled out early in the second spell. It was the younger players—Ed Manco, Robert Cooke, and Geoff Longley — who stole much of the limelight. Manco was quite outstanding and thoroughly deserved, his “player of the match” award.

Against Napier, the Canterbury coach (Mr G. D. Dempsey) was able to use his second-string players for long periods, and they were still much too good for the opposition. Canterbury led, 47-16, and was unlucky not to achieve a century score before time ran out. Former sprinter Bob Manthei played a great captain’s game, setting up play well and always being in the right position for a return pass. He was named the “player of the match,” but the outstanding offensive performer was undoubtedly Cooke, who scored some magnificent baskets in his tally of 24 points. Craig Daly, known as a former New Zealand sprint champion, provided Napier with its greatest offensive thrust. He scored a hardearned 20 points. Scores were.-

Canterbury 75 (J. Fairweather 20, S. Ferguson 17, E. Manco 12, R. Cooke 12, G. Longley 6, R. Millard 4, R. Manthei 2, D. Barry 2), Panmure 74; Canterbury 99 (Cooke 24, Manthei 18, Millard 15, Barry 8, S. Guthrie 6, Ferguson 16, Longley 6, Manco 4, Fairweather 2), Napier 53; Nelson 90, Bay of Plenty 55; North Shore 112, Otago 68; Wellington 96, Napier 64; Hamilton 85, Combined Services 82.