Their first encounter against Coffs Harbour was difficult as they failed to start when the referee tossed the ball and didn’t score in the first quarter. Points were scored during the next three quarters but not enough to trouble their opponents as they raced away to a comfortable win.

The Tornadoes showed their true grit as they bounced back to compete well in the next three games against Gosford City Rebels, Illawarra Hawks and Newcastle Hunters.

The team pushed the Gosford City Rebels all the way before the final siren found them on the wrong side of the score line, down by 10 points. The result against the Illawarra Hawks was a similar one with the margin at 13 points but again the Tornadoes were right in the contest and only needed to improve on the one per centers to spring the upset.

Their last game was against second placed Newcastle Hunters was a hard fought affair and when the siren sounded for full time Taree was on the wrong side of the ledger, having scored 31 points to their opponents 50.

Great improvement has been achieved in their performances since they first stepped onto the court for this level of play in Wollongong back on the March 25 and although they recorded only one win on their journey, it was against the finals bound, Maitland Mustangs, to wrap up round three in Gosford a month ago.

Several other games also returned close results but the winner’s circle eluded them and the experience gained throughout the competition will no doubt be of great value in future on court battles.

Saxby’s Stadium is the home of Taree Basketball and details about junior, women’s or men’s basketball may be obtained on at 6551 7456, by email tareebasketball@hotmail.com, on the net at www.taree.basketball.net.au or track down Taree Basketball on Facebook.