Canty wins after struggle

Press, 22 August 1987, Page 88

Canty wins after struggle

By

FRANK DUGGAN

In Wellington

The Canterbury Countrywide men’s basketball team came back from the “pits” to win its semi-final match against New Plymouth at Madgwick Stadium last evening 7974.

Canterbury was behind for most of the match, mainly because of its failure to combat a skilled and controlled New Plymouth attack and defence. For 90 per cent of the game New Plymouth dictated the terms and Canterbury played second fiddle because it did not control a formidable opposition, admirably led by Hank Siemiontkowski. John MacDonald, even being in the mid-30s bracket, had his best match of the season. Even though Canterbury won with a repetition of last year’s stunning last-second success against the same side, it was not that impressive. Canterbury was too lethargic. It allowed New Plymouth too much room but when the chips were down it settled to fine controlled basketball in the last quarter. New Plymouth won and lost because of Jacques Tuz. A few days ago he broke the little finger of his right hand and was unable to practise before the semi-final. It was a well kept secret but Tuz’s lack of training soon had his mouth wide open, gasping for breath. His timing was astray, particularly on offence, and it was left to his chief constable, Siemiontkowski, to make or break for New Plymouth. But Siemiontkowski ran out of wind and his exhaustion as well as Tuz’s demise in the fifteenth minute because of foul trouble, left Canterbury an entree to success. There was little in it in the first-half and New Plymouth deservedly led 37-32 at half-time. It was only after 13 minutes of the second-half that Canterbury made a surge to draw level at 61-all. Two minutes later New Plymouth was leading 65-61 and the Canterbury cause appeared lost. Then it was exit Tuz, bye-bye to a tired Siemiontkowski, and Canterbury was on the rampage.