Basketball to O.B.

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34130, 17 April 1976, Page 16

Basketball to O.B.

Nelson Old Boys virtually assured of being the top qualifier in»its section of the Coruba Rum South Island Men's A grade Easter basketball tournament when it beat High School Old Boys (Christchurch) at Cowles Stadium yesI terday. However. High School Old Boys fully extended Nelson before losing 45-50, and the Christchurch team still has a chance of reaching the semi-finals as the best-performed of the three runners-up in section play. There was never many points separating the two sides in the low-scoring match, one that was notable for the effectiveness of -the opposing defence. A hint that the youthful High I School Old Boys line-up. urged ion bv its seasoned guard. Tim i Guthrie, w as capable of causing an upset was given when Neilson's initial advantage was canIceiled out as half-time neared, i High School Old Boys briefly edged in front at 16-15, before | the 6ft sin American, Bill Eldred, was prominent in restoring Nelson to the lead by the interval. For much of the second spell the totals climbed goal-by-goal until High School Old Boys closed to within one point of the visitors, at 37-36. with 6tmin remaining. Once again Nelson applied additional pressure and slipped awav to 49-41 just 3min from the end. and it was not too troubled to h<»ld High School Old Boys at bay This was Nelson's only appearance yesterday, and it was left to High School Old Boys to gain some compensation in the evening by overwhelming Aranui; Old Bnvs. n Ms opening game ‘ Aranut had come from six points! behind at the break to nudge out KVees (Otago). 62-59. The two section 3 matches,’

both on the No. 1 court at the stadium, were a contrast. Checkers A cruised to an 81-55 victory at Burnside A’s expense, and then Mairehau and Otago University engaged in a thrilling tussle that was not resolved until Mairehau slipped five points clear with lOsec to go. A lastsecond field goal by Otago shaved the deficit to three points.

Mairehau laid the foundation for its ultimate success by starting far more positively than Otago, and was ahead by 20-11 largely through some spectacular deeds by Dave Vincent. This setback served to spur Otago to lift its tempo and it was temporarily in front before Mairehau held a narrow, 32-31, advantage at half-time. The third quarter was full of excitement, the lead changing seven times in lOmin. It seemed that Otago had weathered this period of tension more favourably when it moved away to 49-44. only for Vincent—having had his ankle strapped—to tie the tallies at 51-51 with two memorable field goals. With Mairehau regaining its confidence. Otago was given little opportunity to stage a second recover?’. The vital goal for Mairehau came just 45sec before the end and took it three points away from Otago, and when another followed soon afterwards it became certains that Mairehau would be the side; to dispute the leadership in this section with Checkers A. Y.M.C.A. also of Christchurch, is also unbeaten and seems a certain winner of section 1. It had 11 points in hand over Athletic (Nelson) early in the afternoon. and accounted for Checkers B eight hours later. Its remaining fixture is against Lion Tavern (T’mara). which Jost to Athletic after Keating the Checkers second side.

Even though each of the seven clubs in the women's A grade round-robin series still have four games left before the finalists are found. Mairehau A and Tennis A (Nelson) seem the logical pair to contest the title. Tennis A had useful margins over two Canterbury teams. University A and Rangiora, and 'Mairehau A was too good for Checkers A and repulsed a i strong challenge from Otago University. Sharing equal third position, with a win and a loss apiece, are University A. Checkers A and Otago University. Results: MEN Section 1: Lion Tavern 66, Checkers B 58; Y.M.C.A. 72, Athletic 61: Athletic 59. Lion Tavern 46; Y.M.C.A. 85. Checkers B 33. Points (all played twice): Y.M.C.A. 4. Athletic 2, Lion Tavern 2, Checkers B 0. Section 2: Nelson Old Boys 50. High School Old Bovs 45; Aranui Old Boys 62, KVees 59; High School Old Boys 89. Aranui Old Boys 36. Points (games in narenthesis): Nelson (1) 2. High School Old Bovs (2) 2. Aranu Old Boys (2) 2, KVees fl) 0 Section 3: Checkers A 81. Burn-i side A 55; Mairehau 66, Otago University 63. Points (all played n nce) : Checkers 2. Mairehau 2. Burnside A 0. Otago University |O. WOMEN Round-robin■ Otago University--51. Y.M.C.A. 31: Checkers A 79. Rangiora 43; Tennis A 58, University A 45: Mairehau A 66. Checkers A 34; Tennis A 63. Rangiora 47; University A 63. Y.M.C.A. 45: Mairehau-60, Otago University 52 Points fall ©laved twice): Tennis A 4. Mairehau A 4. University A 2. Checkers A 2. otagn University 2, Rangiora 0, Y.M.C.A. 0.