THRILLING BASKETBALL SEEN WHEN MARTON DEFEATS ATHLETIC

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1950, Page 2

THRILLING BASKETBALL SEEN WHEN MARTON DEFEATS ATHLETIC

By defeating Athletic A in a highly exciting and cuosely contested match, Marton preserved an undefeated record in the Marton basketball competition this year. On this occasion, however, Athletic were so very much the equals of their traditional rivals that they were definitely unlucky not to draw. Marton has not been defeated for some years and have had a monopoly on the Kendrick Cup since its presentation three years ago. Eclipsing in interest ail other games so far played this season, this eagerly awaited clash betwen two very good teams drew a much larger gallery of spectators than usual at Centennial Park. Complete results of Saturday's games were:— M.D.H.S. (No. 1) 23, beat Turakina 6; St. Andrew’s 14, beat M.D.H.S. (No. 2) 5; Athletic B 18, beat M.D.H.S. (No. 3) 4; Marton 19, beat Athletic A 16. Athletic opened the .game, obviously a brisk and enterprising contest from the start, with a short spell of fairly rapid and accurate goal shooting and seemed to be set for a high scoring game. Howevei, Marton soon settled down and both sides indulged in some excellent passing, which sent the ball up and down the court, rarely able to penetrate a determined defence at both ends. Both centre thirds were excellent. All six players were skilled basketbailers, and plav in this third rose to greater heights than Marton I has seen for some time. Athletic were perhaps a little the more unified, though both teams failed once in a while to get their centre pass away safely. Individual honours, however, must go to M. Corkran (Athletic) and P. Campbell (Marton), who never failed throughout a hard game to keep position, handled perfectly, and opened up play at every opportunity. Athletic's defence began excellently, but tired a little towards the end of the first spell, so that Marton left the field at the half-time break with five goats to snare—ls-10. Resuming, the game continued’ with no dimunition of pace, and as In the first half. Athletic were first to score; indeed Marton were held at bay for seven minutes before they could add to their total. However, it was the forward third who, through producing more accuracy with their shots 'at goal, were responsible for Marton’s victory, for with nothing at. all between the j play of the teams, accuracy at goal is a vital factor.

N. Adams (Marton) proved herself as in the past, an excellent fieldworker and always a problem to her defending partner.