NATIONAL 18 PLUS
BASKETBALL COMPETITION

On Saturday 28th November 1998, the National Basketball Competition was held at Enderby Leisure Centre, near Leicester. A team of members from Leeds, Huddersfield and Bradford (The Yorkshire Puddings) and half a team from the North-West side of The Pennines (The Black Puddings) were the great hopes of the Northern Area - where were you all when we needed you? The poor Black Puddings kept having to borrow members from Midland Area, The Yorkshire Puddings and Billericay Group to make up their team. This, of course, kept the two infamous lady (?) Black Puddings very happy as they got to play with lots of different men all afternoon.

In total, them we, ten teams, playing In two leagues of five as there were two courts and guess what? The puddings were to play in the same league and, as luck would have It, two teams playing with just the obligatory female, and who resembled the Harlem Globetrotters Reserve or The 'Manchester Giants In the way they played we also draw in our league. Still, The Yorkshire Puddings did quite well with "star" player Russell Jones using his height to great advantage and Catherine Overend proving she was demon "hot shot" with the baskets, whilst Phil Bettis played, errr energetically. The Black Puddings dramatically improved when Jeff and James from Billericay played with them - thanks lads. Still we played all our games and even joined another team, when some of their members took an early bath when they couldn't stand defeat. All In all we had a very busy afternoon and even got to ref` some of the other games.

The only serious Injury of the afternoon came when Sandra Bradshaw's finger and thumb came in contact with a fierce ball resulting in a nasty strain with internal bruising and resulted In a week off work. Meanwhile on the other court Billericay and Wimbledon "B" were showing good form and qualified for the semi-finals along with our professionals from Wimbledon "A" and Higham & Wellingborough. The latter team both winning their semis fought the final in a close match with Wimbledon "A" coming out champs. The losing semi-finalists played each other with Wimbledon "B" taking third place.

After the games it was time for a meal in the local carvery pub with the Northern contingent before heading to nearby Braunstone Civic Hall for the presentation disco. It was great to see that Wimbledon and Billericay Groups made the effort to attend. Finally, thanks to Jo Woodhead for organizing the event.

The Romiley Basketcase

Extract from Summer 1999 POW Magazine

Basketball 1998 - the Huddersfield 18 Plus version