No Medals
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
In Netball
A competition disappointment
because only two territories—the Solomons and P-NG—entered, women’s netball attracted only a few onlookers at the Boroko Re serve.
The Fijian team withdrew at the last minute and two outsiders— Manly from Sydney and a “Com bined” team—fielded teams to give the Solomon Islanders and New Guineans a variety of six matches each. No medals were awarded.
The sport, similar to basketball, wasn’t of high standard. The Manly and New Guinean teams were far ahead of the others, mainly because they combined better and were also more familiar with the rules.
The very dark, golden-haired Solomon Island girls were at sea early as they were unaccustomed to the ruling that players were allowed to take a hop, sterv and jump when in possession. Nevertheless, they fought bravely against the faster moving New Guineans.
Aged 16 to 26, the Solomon Is landers had been seasick en-route to the Games (by the vessel Belama) and they were also nervous of on lookers. many of whom were in terested local males.
The NG girls were keen and it was a pity they and their opposition didn’t get a showing from other terri tories. As with all other outdoor ball sports, play was upset by wind.
Usaia Sotutu, Fiji's champion long distance runner, jumps a fence in the 3,000 metres steeple chase, which he won easily to give him a second gold medal.