Canty women pipped

Press, 19 August 1978, Page 6

Canty women pipped

PA Auckland Auckland snatched a 70-69 win against Canterbury to go into the final of the New Zealand women’s first division basketball championship last night. Runner-up in the event last year, Auckland had to slow down the game against the fastbreaking Canterbury side to equalise in the last minute of normal time.

With the scores deadlocked at 66-all five more minutes were played and Immediately Auckland scored through Joanne Johnstone, who was fouled as she attempted her basket. From the ensuing free throws, Miss Johnstone added two points to give Auckland a

four-point lead with 4min remaining. Canterbury then scored from a penalty throw by Rayne Cassidy and two from Jeanette Howard to bring its score within one of Auckland’s total.

Extra time was also played in the Wellington-Nelson contest. Wellington won, 72-71, after the full-time score wag tied at 67-all. Nelson had the advantage, 38-29, at half-time through accurate shooting from Kareti Hoddy, who scored 19 points for the match. The final between Auckland and Hamilton, which beat Napier, 55-53, will be played today at the Y.M.C.A. stadium, North Shore. The programme will end with the North Island playing the South Island.