INCREASED INTEREST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20913, 13 October 1942, Page 6

INCREASED INTEREST

AMERICAN BASKETBALL The increased popularity of American basketball as an indoor sport was further illustrated at the Y.M.C.A. last night by tiie large number of teams entered in the second round of the inter-house competition and the good attendance of spectators. The more experienced teams gave good displays of handling and combination, while the newer teams quickly adapted themselves to the game. In the men’s section, High School were extremely lucky to draw with the police, who, although they did not play up to last week’s standard, gave a good exhibition or fast play and team work. R. Smaill was the backbone of the school team, his deceptive passing and accurate shooting often baffling the opposing side. The final score was 15—all.

The Mercantile men's team put up one of the best exhibitions of accurate shooting and combination of any team during the whole evening, and beat Public Service by 36—2. Public Service were not disgraced, however, as it was their first appearance in the competition and they did quite well to fit in to the run of play as quickly as they did. The win by 22—4 by the Air Training Corps over the Air Force was by no means indicative of the run of play. The Air Force side was often on the offensive, but were unlucky in their shots. S. Wills, R. Taylor and L. Roderick goalcd several difficult shots, while A. Taylor, playing at defence, was very sound. In the women's section, the Nurses’ win by B—s8 —5 over Petties was a creditable one as the former team had played only once previously. Their handling and combination were sound and they seemed to have acquired the knack of spinning the ball into the goal off the back board.

Common, Shelton's effort against Murray, Roberts, might have resulted in victory had they not slackened their pace in the second spell. At the close of the first half Murray, Roberts were six points behind, but after the break their combination improved and they quickly made, up the difference in points, Common, Shelton adding only another two points before the final whistle. The game resulted in a win by 14—10 to Murray, Roberts.

The results of last night's play were:— Nurses 8 v. Petties 5; High School 15 v. Police No. 1 15; Eagles 13 v. W.W.S.A. 0; Police No. 2 21 v. Air Training Corps No. 24; Common, Shelton No. 22 v. Cash Stores 0; Mercantile 36 v. Public Service 2; Bull and Edwards 10 v. Cook County 4; Air Training Corps No. 1 22 v. Air Force 4; Public Service 16 v. McKenzies 10; Home Guard 13 v. Native 9; Murray, Roberts 14, Common, Shelton 10.