Controversial win

Press, 25 August 1986, Page 8

Controversial win

Wellington won a controversial New Zealand under-23 men’s basketball championship held at Stoke, Nelson, at the week-end. In a play-off yesterday afternoon Wellington beat Palmerston North 77-66 after both teams and Canterbury finished the six team roundrobin tournament with four wins and a loss. On countbacks Canterbury had to miss out and was awarded third place. However, there was considered controversy over a New Zealand world cup player, Peter Pokai, playing for Wellington. He is registered with the second division league team, Waitemata. He played two games during the week-

end, Wellington winning both including a 90-71 defeat of Canterbury. Then Palmerston North lodged a protest Pokai did not play again and moves by other teams to have Wellington's two earlier wins reversed were not successful. It is understood the matter will be discussed at this week’s meeting of the basketball federation. Canterbury had an excellent tournament first beating Nelson 94-60 then losing to Wellington and beating New Plymouth 94-77, Marlborough 105-42. Then came the shock of the tournament beating Palmerston North 70-64 yesterday morning.