BASKETBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 50, 27 August 1932, Page 5

BASKETBALL

NEW ZEALAND TOURNEY

OTAGO IN THE LEAD

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, 26th August.

The unexpected happened at the New Zealand basketball tournament to-day, Southland defeating the Auckland team by 13 to 11 after a most exciting match. The weather was fine to-day, but colder than it has been, and there was a light wind.

The results of to-day's games are:— Auckland 20, beat Canterbury 8; Ashburton 20, beat South Canterbury 14; Hawkes Bay 22, beat Marlborough 17; Southland 25, beat Ashburton 0; Wellington 39, beat South Canterbury 8; Otago 40, beat Marlborough 11; Southland 13, beat Auckland. 11; Wellington 24, beat Hawkes Bay 15.

Championship points are as follows: — Otago 12, Wellington 10, Canterbury 8, Auckland 8, Southland 8, Ashburton 0, South Canterbury 2, Hawkes Bay 2, Marlborough nil.

Southland showed all-round superiority over Ashburton, who did not display the excellent form shown in their match against Hawkes Bay yesterday. They were unfortuante to lose R. Hawkes from centre early in the first half owing to a sprained ankle. This player had been passing and intercepting brilliantly, and her retirement naturally affected the Ashburton combination. Southland did not appear to be fully extended, and won by 25 to 6. The match between Hawkes Bay and Marlborough was extremely interesting, particularly in the second half, when Marlborough speeded up their game and made play very even. As was anticipated, the Auckland-Can-terbury match was an interesting one, Auckland regaining their true form, and in this game played with uniform combination distinguished by a dazzling defence and perfect handling in all departments. Canterbury were playing a sound game, and showed improved combination, but the forwards were not as accurate as usual. WELLINGTON WIN. Wellington established a lead of 8-2 in the first seven minutes' play against South Canterbury, and registered some nice goals. The victors were superior throughout in all departments, winning by 39 to 8. Southland literally snatched victory from Auckland, both teams fighting every inch of the way. Southland won by 13 to 11. but seldom did they lead by more than one, and often both teams were equal. The excitement of the crowd was intense, as it was not expected that Southland would put up such a good showing. The game was hard from start to finish, and basketball of the highest standard was witnessed. The passing was fast and clever, the defenders of both teams saving again and again. Every member of the Southland team was right on form, and the combination was superb. Auckland were brilliant, and in many cases were unlucky not to goal. The game between Wellington and Hawkes Bay proved to be even, Hawkes Bay putting up a stern fightr Wellington won by 24 to 15. Otago ran all over Marlborough, winning by 40 to 11. . Otago were never extended, but Marlborough played all the time, putting up a gallant struggle.

The Ashburton-South Canterbury game decided the B grade championship, and after a very interesting exhibition of basketball Ashburton lived up to the good form .they had previously shown, and ran out winners by 20 goals to 14.