FIRST DAY'S PLAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27505, 27 September 1950, Page 8

FIRST DAY'S PLAY

Dominion Men’s Basketball Championships

PA CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 26. There were no upsets In the first day’s play of the New Zealand men’s basketball championships, which began in Christchurch today. Four teams, Otago, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Wellington,- all played two games without loss. In the second division Hutt Valley, Nelsop and Canterbury B each had one win. The results were:—

First Division.—Wellington beat Wanganui 50 —27; Palmerston North beat Hawke’s Bay 49—20; Hamilton beat Canterbury 40—22; Otago beat Auckland 41—29; Palmerston North beat Wanganui 53 —25; Wellington beat Hawke’s Bay 59—24 r Hamilton beat Auckland 45—33; Otago beat Canterbury 58—38. Second Division.—Canterbury B beat Canterbury C 46—40; Nelson beat Wellington Mercantile 53—26; Hutt Valley beat Canterbury C 31—6. OTAGO STARTS WELL Defeat Of Fourth And Sixth Seeded Teams Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 26. Otago started well with a win over Auckland, which was seeded in sixth place compared with Otago’s fifth,, by 41—29. The Otago forwards were not on form at the start of the game, but as they settled down their shooting improved and gradually took control of the game. The captain, L. Williams, concentrated on keeping a gap down the centre of the court and opened up play, allowing the loose guards and fast attacking forwards an opportunity to reach the basket. Auckland had a small lead of one point after the first quarter, and maintained this lead at half time with the score at 11—10. In this period J. Hayman had scored two field goals and a penalty for Otago. J. C. Alabaster equalised the scores with a fine field- goal soon after half time, and then put Otago in the lead with another. From this stage onwards, Otago did not look back and steadily increased its lead. At threequarter time, Otago led 27—19. Excellent basketball was played by both sides in the last quarter, although the Auckland players tended to shoot from too far out. This was one of Otago’s faults in the early stages. Brown was one of the outstanding players for Otago, and his consistent attacks in the second spell made conditions very difficult for the Auckland guards. Otago continued in winning strain tonight against the fourth seeded team, Canterbury, and won by the substantial margin of 58—38. The opening stages indicated that Otago would be hard pressed to win, and after a few minutes of play, Canterbury led by 10—2, but by the end of the first quarter, Otago had drawn level with a fine field goal by Williams. A stern struggle took place for the next quarter with Otago gradually getting the upper hand. Better team work and more careful shooting enabled Otago to draw away, with Alabaster putting in some excellent field goals. At half time Otago led 29—24, Alabaster having scored 10 points in the spell. •Canterbury returned to the attack at the beginning of the second spell, and with a few minutes gone had reduced Otago’s lead to one point. For the rest of the quarter, however, Otago maintained the pressure, and led 37—32. The last quarter saw Otago finding the basket with nearly every attempt, and 21 points were added to the score. In this quarter, Canterbury scored only six points. For Otago, Alabaster scored six goals and two penalties, and Wiliams five goals and one penalty. L. Fisher, who was also shooting well, scored four goals. M. McDougall was the outstanding player for Canterbury, and scored seven field goals.