Polynesians Excel

At Ball Games

French Polynesia and American Samoa dominated the men’s basket ball at the Games, with a standard that had not previously been seen in Fiji.

AMERICAN Samoa started favourites but the French Poly nesians virtually all local-born Tahitians —were the better team a team, first-class in all departments.

The Americans played a more robust style, but they and the French Poly nesians had one advantage—big players.

New Caledonia had little success at any time, New Guinea and Nauru were crowd pleasing, especially the Nauruans. F. Smith, for Nauru, was a prolific scorer, averaged 30 baskets a game. Fiji and Western Samoa also competed.

The results seemed to indicate that men’s basketball will continue to be dominated by the eastern Poly nesians.

In women’s basketball, American Samoa’s team did not shine like the men’s. Fiji and Western Samoa were well above the general run of skill.

Other teams were P-NG (bronze medal winners) and Niue.

Since the points system was followed, the results were regarded as indicative of the general standard of basketball in the Pacific.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a popular Polynesian sport, often played in the villages with a fishing net strung between palm trees. As expected, French Polynesia and American Samoa dominated it. Fiji and Western Samoa were the only other teams competing.