BASKETBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 September 1938, Page 12

BASKETBALL

N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS’ FINALS. TIMARU, September 3. The Dominion basketball championships were concluded to-day. Heavy rain in the morning forced a number of games to be played in an indoor court. The weather improved in the afternoon, when the concluding games were played outside. In the first grade Wellington and Canterbury tied for the championship with nine points each. Southland was the runner-up, with six, and Otago next with four, Hawke’s Bay two, Auckland none. In the second grade, South Canterbury went through, without a loss and won the section with 14 points. Southland Minor was second with 11, Ashburton nine, Manawatu eight, Wairoa seven, Waikato four, Hutt Valley three, Wairarapa none. The third grade was won by Bush, which was unbeaten in the tournament. It won 16 points, West Coast 12, Marlborough 11, Horowhenua seven, North Otago six, Buller four, Hawke’s Bay Minor two, Hokitika none. Rain to-day robbed the tournament of a good deal of interest. The last games were played in a drizzle in the late afternoon in the presence of a fair crowd. In the first grade to-day Wellington was too strong for Otago, winning by a good margin. Unexpected opposition was offered by Hawke’s Bay against Canterbury, particularly in the second half, but Canterbury towards the close gained the upper hand. Canterbury played better against Southland to maintain an unbeaten record, as did Wellington. The draw between these teams left them the joint champions. Results:— FIRST GRADE. Wellington 19 beat Otago 8; Canterbury 10 beat Hawke’s Bay 6; Canterbury 14 beat Southland. 9. SECOND GRADE. Ashburton 10 beat Waikato 9; South Canterbury 9 beat Manawatu 5; Southland 10 beat Wairarapa ; Waikato 8 beat Hutt Valley 3; Ashburton 7 drew with Wairoa 7; South Canterbury 11 beat Southland Minor 9; Manawatu 10 beat Wairarapa 8; Wairoa 7 beat Hutt Valley 4. THIRD GRADE. Marlborough 9 drew with Wanganui 9; North Otago 8 beat Buller 6; Horowhenua 14 beat Hawke’s Bay Minor 10; West Coast 5 beat Hokitika 3; Wanganui 6 beat West Coast 5; Marlborough. 11 beat Horowhenua 7; Bush 16 beat Buller 7. SOUTH DEFEATS NORTH. The light was fading fast when the North v. South match commenced, and very short spells only were played The court was slippery because of rain which set in, but the standard of play was quite good. South soon established a two-goal lead, but just before time North scored. Had the tournament games not been curtailed, the big match would have drawn a big crowd.