The long chain of successes of the Buccaneers was broken last night when the Marine officer emerged victorious in a convincing manner by a score of 43-25 and captured the Tenth Annual Invitation Basketball League Championship of the Foreign Y.M.C.A. The defeat marked the end of eight years mastery on the part of the Pirates who year in and year out finished head and shoulders above all other contenders, practically irresistible, However, striking a brilliant streak in the last quarter of the tussle, the of the Sixth Regiment, U.S.
nes, poured into the basket which gave the defending champions the worst defeat ever recorded in the Pirates' league annals There may have been better basketball games in Shanghai but one would have to go a long way to match last nights encounter in rivalry, excitement, and untoward developments. Throughout three-quarters of the fight fortunes rose and Kell Both sides had been beaten before.
The Buccaneers fell victims to the Sixth Regiment enlisted men by 34- 2 quite early in the season wh BIN Ryan, giant centre, was absentee, while the officers were manhandled by Triangle Motors, 53-46, exactly a week ago. Between the two finalists there was practically nothing to choose, each being just as formidable as the other-However, superiority in staying power eventually won the game and title for the service team.
Early Lead to Losers The Pirates gained an early lead of 18-4 through long range shots in about five minutes of play. It looked from the outset as if the civilians were going to complete their ninth consecutive success, judging by earlier movements of the two teams. Shortly afterwards the Marines caged the next two goals and tied the count at 8 all, but two foul shots regained the leadership for the Buccaneers. At this stage a quick turn of events took place as the ofücers tightened up their game and reeled off a string of points to obtain a lead of 14-10. Bob Biesel, star guard, came to the rescue by sinking a field basket from far out and followed up with iwo free tosses to tie the score for the second time at 14 all Then in less than half a minute from.the end of the first period Wilde scored on a long try for an advantage of 18-16 at half-time, Lewis Carson, key man of the irates, started the second period with added energy and contributed two successive baskets which changed the lead again. The officers countered the next shot via the foul route, making the count read 18-17 in favour of the ultimate losers. At this stage both ends had narrow escapes. Excitement reached its peak as the ball danced around the baskets in fast raids. Carson, Biesel, Honsowitz, and Wilde each had the sad experience of seeing their shots bounce out of the ring.
Nevertheless, midway through the session the officers were blessed with a fine "break" which carried them away to a safe lead of 29-20. During this streak Carson was disqualified for having committed his fourth personal foul and with the leader removed from the play the Buccaneers were nothing but five individuals. Later on Wilde followed Carson but his march to the benches had no effect whatever on the final outcome as the game had virtually been won.
Marixe Orricers Robertshaw. Honsowitz
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.