ASCO gets in the game

Intermittent showers and the ever present overcast skies did not prevent the Zee’s Construction Ashburton Sports and Cultural Organisation (ASCO) Netball Competition from getting started last Sunday afternoon at the Gomea Methodist School Hardcourt.{{more}}

But the resplendent array of colours of the ten teams that braved the weather brightened the proceedings.

Despite the late start, the march past and addresses from the speakers were worth the wait.

Long standing President of ASCO Dennisford Foster, in his address, commended the teams that were present, and asked that they at all times play the game to the best of their abilities.

He requested of them to impress most with their conduct. Foster advised the netballers that “the ball is in your court”.

His comments came in light of the fact that the within days of the start of the competition there was no sponsor.

Foster revealed that it was last minute input by Zerah Sutherland’s firm that some financial input was guaranteed.

Foster stated that Sutherland agreed to sponsor twenty-five percent of the cost of running the competition, but promised to add more if the competition impressed him.

Also speaking at the ceremony were Manager of the National Sports Council Osbourne Browne, and Eli Francis who stood in for Parliamentary representative for West St. George, Mike Browne.

The accolades that were dished out at the ceremony saw Gairy Construction ASCO 3 take the Best Banner Award, with Ultra Tek second.

The Best Dressed Team on show was Yanja Young Strugglers, who beat Bop Clinchers into second place.

Young Strugglers also drew first strike, as the competition began in earnest. They beat TRAC 27-25 in the evening’s opener. An exhibition match which followed saw Superior Pace Setters, a male team, edge out ASCO One, 32-38.

On Monday, Pine Hill Dairy Nice Radio Clinchers Two outplayed ASCO 4, 40-6, in Division Two, and Marriaqua Activists squeezed out Bop Clinchers, 27-25 in Division One action.

ASCO 2 and 5, Nice Radio Pine Hill Dairy Clinchers Two, Richland Park Petite Clinchers, Nurses, RSVG Police, Golden Girls Combine, Gatorade Strikers, Nar Fren Dem and Budg Mart Bustas are the teams vying for honours in the two divisions.

Division One has fourteen teams, divided into two groups of seven, and Division Two has five entrants. The tournament will see a league format and a knock out competition.

The 2007 version marks the 16th year of the tournament, which has now become the pride and joy of the Dauphine community.