BASKETBALL TOURNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 11

BASKETBALL TOURNEY

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP OTAGO TEAM SUCCESSFUL NORTH ISLAND DEFEATS SOUTH [by telegraph—pnEss association] INVERCARGILL, Sunday The New Zealand basketball tournament was concluded yesterday, the weather breaking shortly after mid-day and heavy rain setting in, with the result that tho afternoon games had to bo 'played indoors. Otago won tho New Zealand Cup, going through tho tournament unbeaten, and Wellington, which was defeated only once, won the Annie Brown Cup for the runner-up. Ashburton gained the President's Shield for the team from minor associations winning most points. The match between the North and South Islands was won by North by 22 points to 19 after an exciting contest. The results were:—Auckland, 22, beat Marlborough, 15; Southland, 15, beat Hawke's Bay, 9; Otago, 13, beat Canterbury, 12; Wellington, 38, beat Ashburton, 8; Otago, 17, beat Southland, 15; Wellington, 22, beat Auckland, 19; Hawke's Bay, 15, beat South Canterbury, 14; Canterbury, 26, beat Marlborough, 19. A challenge match between Hawke's Bay, the lowest A grade team, and Ashburton, the highest B grade team, resulted in a win for Hawke's Bay by 26 goals to 18The points gained for the New Zealand Cup were:—Otago, 16; Wellington, 14; Canterbury, 10; Auckland, 10; Southland, 10; Ashburton, 6; Hawke's Bay, 4; South Canterbury, 2; Marlborough, 0. Combination Lacking Marlborough played a strong game against Auckland, which experienced difficulty in securing good combination and effected a change in its team after halftime. The scoring was even at half-time, and it was not until the closing stages of the game that Auckland ireally had a reliable \yorking combination. The opening stages ot the Southland-Hawke's Bay game were ragged, the passing of both teams being haphazard. The scoring was even but, when Southland settled to its game, it held Hawke's Bay, which must have been feeling the effects of the challenge match against Ashburton at 9.30 a.m. The game between Otago and Canterbury was very keenly contested and was a willing game, with Canterbury attacking strongly from the first whistle and making a bold bid for victory. Otago was not quite up to the form it displayed in the game against Wellington, the forwards in particular being very erratic in the opening stages of tho game. Excitement was at - fever pitch within four minutes of time, when the score was 12—12. Otago's splendid defence, however, presented a bold front to all Canterbury's attacks. Ashburton offered only spasmodic opposition to Wellington, whose combination and goal shooting were excellent. Otago and Southland battled all the way, Otago winning by 17 to 15 in the last few minutes of the game. Both teams played fast and spectacular basketball, the passing and catching being a treat to watch. At one 6tage it looked as though Southland would win, but Otago rallied and increased its lead. The game was one of the most exciting of the tourney. Wellington Beats Auckland The game between Wellington and Auckland was sternly contested, Wellington winning by 22 goals to 19. Half-way through the second spell Auckland was well down and then it commenced to pull up, but time was called leaving it the loser by a margin of 3 goals. The last few minutes were exciting, Auckland striking its real form. The contest between the North and South Islands was one of the most exciting of tho day. North Island won by 22 goals to 19, but only after a hard struggle, especially in the concluding stages. The teams combined better than was expected, with the result that fast passing movements were started whenever possible. The teams were:— North Island. —Forwards, J. Nagle (Auckland), E. Bowman (Auckland), M. Simmons (Wellington), E. McGuire (Wellington); centres, G. McGurk (Wellington), N. Skene (Auckland), N. Jacombs (Auckland), P. Chisholm (Hawke's Bay); defenders, M. Matangi (Wellington), E. Parsons (Wellington), C. Turner (Auckland), J. Harper (Auckland). South Island. —Forwards, J. Cupplos (Otago), N. Benzoni (Otago), M. Wright (Southland), O. Wheattey (Canterbury); centres, P. Griffiths (Otago), E. Campbell (Otago), E. Rosevere (Otago), D. Deegan (Southland); defenders, R. Sunderland (Otago), .1. Craig (Canterbury), G. Thompson (Otago), J. Sutherland (Otago).