MEN'S BASKETBALL Charlett Leads Nelson To Fine Win, 71-68

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 7

MEN'S BASKETBALL Charlett Leads Nelson To Fine Win, 71-68

Inspired by the splendid form of its captain, D. Charlett, a somewhat depleted Nelson team rose well above the standards expected of it to narrowly beat Canterbury, 71-68, in a representative men’s basketball match on Saturday evening.

Charlett, regarded by many as one of the outstanding forwards in the country, even though he has never worn the silver fem, lived up to his fine reputation. By the end of the game he had scored 26 points himself, and been instrumental in the scoring of many more.

Without his contribution, Canterbury would undoubtedly have won handsomely, although other Nelson players, notably W. Russell, A. Harding and J. Muncaster, also played some fine attacking basketball.

The teams, with individual and total scores, were:— Nelson 71: D. .Charlett 26, W. Russell 15. A. Harding 11, J. Muncaster 9, R. Dalzell 6, M. Roach 4, D. Paul 0, P. Hart 0. Canterbury 68: C. P. Dyson 20, R. Enwistle 20, A. Hounsell 10, G. Costello 9, P. Ross 5, G. Williams 4, C. Walton 0. Nelson led 35-32 at halftime. Without its three New Zealand trialJsts, C. Cotton, K. Baddlly and D. Taylor, Nelson was expected to be well below its usual strength. However, the replacements rose to the occasion so magnificently that it is doubtful if the team could have played any better if the three players had been available. But Canterbury was not without its moments and at times produced some exhilarating basketball. It never allowed Nelson to gain any lasting dominance over the game and even In the closing seconds victory was still In sight. Nelson realised this and was desperately playing for time when the final whistle blew.

The lead changed 12 times In the first spell, four times in the second and was level on two other occasions. Canterbury hit the front for the final time with 7min to go at 54-53. Seconds later Charlett scored three quick baskets In succession and Canterbury’s chances seemed gone. But instead of collapsing as so many Canterbury teams have done at such a critical stage in previous years, the home side gathered itself for a supreme effort. It drew to within one point of Nelson at only to have Russell snatch back the initiative with a uue basket.

Dyson was very much the driving force In the Canter-

bury side: In the early stages he kept Canterbury in the bunt with several accurate jump shots; and with lOmin gone he had scored 10 of Canterbury's 12 points. He played a similar role in the opening minutes of the second spell. His final total of 20 points was well deserved —he has never played better. Forced to play out of his position at centre because of an ankle injury, Entwistle was not quite so noticeable as usual. But he was just as effective—he scored 20 points.

11 Hounsell played well as 1 centre, and Costello, playing I his first game for Canterbury. > showed obvious potential. ; An outstanding feature of the game was the amount of fouling. No less than 43 fouls were 1 called by the referees (Messrs R. S. Thomson and B. McCor- ; mack). Two Canterbury players, I Williams and Costello, and one : Nelson player, Dalzell, were . fouled off the court and five ■ other players were sitting on four fouls each.