The Canterbury men’s team encountered the most bizarre game of the tournament when the game vs Naposta was called off due to rain.

We all know that QEII used to leak a bit at times but the El Nacional gym has bigger problems than that.

 

The early part of the day was around 35 degrees and sunny but seriously black clouds arrived at around 3pm and brought with them thunder and lightning followed by the torrential downpour. The guys arrived at the gym to find towels and bins all over the court and the roof leaking in multiple places.

By tip off the rain had stopped and the organisers set about drying the floor out at least enough to start.

 

Canterbury got off to a poor start giving up several pass and cut layups to Naposta who are a quick team with guards who can both shoot and penetrate. That was the case for most of the first quarter with the only respite coming from another stoppage due to more rain. The quarter ended with Napsota up 22 – 17.

 

Once the court was dried again coach Bert Knops tried to change up the defences to stem the tide with initial success in a zone allowing Canterbury to get back to at the half. Then Naposta guard, Mauro Campaña drilled three 3 pointers in a row to force the lead back out. Canterbury rallied with some positive moments but Naposta continued to cut the D to shreds to maintain its 5 point lead 38 – 33.

The third quarter was back and forth before Naposta went on a run to extend the led out to 14 which is when the rain again returned and the referees called off the game. Knowing we had come a long way the Naposta coach suggested that rather than end it with 2:51 to go in the third they could drive our players to their gym which was only 10mins away. There are 21 clubs in Bahia Blanca and many are close together. The Naposta gym was in the centre of town and his players ferried our players to the new venue. The score bench and referees also relocated and we finished the third quarter at Naposta. Unfortunately the break did not have any effect on them as they continued to extend the lead out to 20 finishing at 67 – 47.

Canterbury put together a great fourth quarter winning it 21 – 12 but this was not enough to win the game. This ended one of the strangest games we have ever been involved in but international relations are in good shape.

Photos of this round of the tournament can be accessed here

Canterbury (68):

Marty Davison (8); Dean Le Warne (3); Joel Stratford (12); Sam Crozier (12); Lionel Hopgood (2).

Nick Erwood (3); Matt Campbell (5); Kieran Ball (8); Rusty Thomson (7); Brent Fisher (8).

 

Napostá (79):

Ezequiel Meneses (2); Juan Ignacio Bellozas (21); Tomás Tajan (8); Mauro Campaña (16); Augusto Meneses (8). Ignacio Luppino (0); Bruno Palotti (4); Juan Ignacio Di Meglio (7); Ramiro Aguirre (11); Antornio Itturroz (2); Juan De Lasa (0).