ST. MARY’S WIN THE ANNUAL KING’S DAY BASKETBALL TOURNEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1950, Page 8

ST. MARY’S WIN THE ANNUAL KING’S DAY BASKETBALL TOURNEY

There were only four entries in the Wanganui Basketball Association’s annual senior grade King’s Day tournament. Of these, only St. Mary's, X.T.C., and Technical Old Girls competed, as Nga Toa were unable to field a full team and had to default. Games were of two seven-minutes’ spells, one minute being allowed for changing ends between spells. An interesting position faced the controllers of the tournament when each of the three teams scored one win and one loss, results being:— St. Mary's 6, Tech. Old Girls 3. X.T.C. 8, St. Mary’s 3. Tech. Old Girls 6, X.T.C. 5. To clarify the position it was decided that the teams should meet each other again in further games, these to be of five minutes' duration only, with the result that St. Mary’s emerged the ultimate winners when they drew with X.T.C. and defeated Technical Old Girls. X.T.C. were defeated by Tech. Old Girls. Thus, the final points were:— St. Mary’s - 5 Technical Old Girls 4 X.T.C 3 The scores are a good indication of the evenness of the games. St. Mary’s main strength was in their defence third, their chief scorer being U. Jeffrey. Technical Old Giris played well and their field combination was good, but their forwards lacked their customary accuracy. K. Gedge deserves credit for consistently good play in the centre third. X.T.C. proved themselves the equal of the more experienced teams and if they maintain this season’s form should develop into dangerous contenders for championship honours. Their form becomes more stable with each game and they are fast losing the tendency to become flustered when the scores even up. Personnel of the winning St. Mary’s team were: J. McCashin (capt.), J. Manson, N. O’Connor, L. Farrell, G. Mashlin, J. O’Connor, M. McCashin, N. O'Leary, U. Jeffrey. SENIOR B. In the senior B grade there were three teams entered, Collegians, Technical A, and St. Mary’s. Collegians were too strong for their opponents, and defeated them 9-4 and 5-nil respectively. Much of the success of the team must be credited to the strong Collegian defence, who lost few 7 opportunities for interception. N. Jackson was particularly prominent. On the day’s play C. Cartwright was the most valuable shooter. Members of the team were: P. Donaldson (capt.), M. Grubb, C. Cartwright, N. Sherman, F. Blackmoor, B. Hawkins, N. Jackson, B. Grant, and L. Brownlie. On the Technical College courts the junior grade was won by United, while Felt and Textiles were winners in the third grade.