BASKETBALL PLUS!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 09, Issue 07, 18 September 1945, Page 5

BASKETBALL PLUS!

BUSINESSMEN y GIRLS FOUR ENTHRALLING ENCOUNTERS Although only a small percentage of the crowd which- turned out last year to Avitness the basketball match between the Whakatane Businessmen and the Girls was present on Saturday when once again another contest of the same type took place those who did turn out lacked nothing in enthusiasm. The games were without exception, fast and furious and. the men proved (in one case at least) more than a match for their l'air opposition. Four games in all were played. Four tough, hard spectacular games. The lirst one } Whakatane A v Men A resulted in a win for the Girls by 1-1 points to 5. Fully confident of victory Whakatane B tussled with Men B only to be soundly thrashed by the munificent score of 0 points to 5. The Giiis } Avith crestfallen countenances betook themselves away to weep with remorse. Whakatane resolved to make up for their counterparts' lapse, and accordingly did battle Avitli Men B. The resultant score was 13—1. the Girls carrying off the honours. The next match however Avas there being a bare margin of 1 point between Men and, Girls. In this game j Men A played Whakatane B } and the score was B—7,8 —7, the Girls just managing to scratch a victory before time. Mr H. Haeuslcr and Airs M. Rowson Aveilded the whistles in two matches apiece and helped, to preserve law and order. The Men played Avith a happy-go-lucky disregard ior the rule book ) and Avere sternly reprimanded, on more than one occasion. The. on the other hand possessing a thorough knoAvledge of what not to do escaped this mortifying experience. Once, avc did notice, a Whakatane Rep player receiving a blast from the rel'. for a totally uncalled-for infringement. The Girls had the advantage in goahng alone. The long high ( lob passes of the .Men totally baffled the opposition and it can be safely said that had the ball gone through the hoop each lime it reached the -Men's ond ) the Girls Avould have been Jar ? far behind in the score. \v'e also noticed one. certain minion of the law, avJio initiated a neAV and spectacular type of defence Avith which to block and obstruct his opposite number.-Apparently there avus nothing against it in the book of niles as he ay as. allowed to continue unhindered by the ref. Another type among the. men was noticed indulging in a little "girdle , play 7 . This took the form of grasp- ; ing the running end of his partner's and Avben she jumped to catch the ball } she was naturally brought up Avith a round turn; so round in : fact that she Avas forced to play Avith a nine inch Avaist until she managed to release the stranglehold her girdle had taken upon her. All through the four matches the Men maintained an inherent good humour even Avben railed at by "the Girls for shaking the goal post Avhile they were endeavouring to shoot. Talcing it by and large, the day was quite a successful and supplied plenty of fun and enjoyment for plaj-ers and spectator? alike.