SPORTSCENE Minders is the only undefeated team after comfortably beating second-placed St Mary’s by 19 points in round three of the 2022 Women’s Division 1-2 Hamilton Basketball Association (HBA) Autumn season on Tuesday night.

The reigning premiers were led again by star player, Tahlia Ross, who scored 12 points and added to her outstanding individual start to the season, while other main contributors were Rhianne Lewis and Caitlin Urquhart with eight points each.

It was clear that the Saints were no match for the formidable Minders team and despite Leesa Iredell and Amy Knight’s six points each, they fell to a big defeat and lost the game, 40-21, at the final buzzer.

Monivae Dolphins d. Minders Blue

MONIVAE Dolphins won a thriller by just one point, 24-23 against Minders Blue on Tuesday night in a low-scoring affair to put its first proper win on the board for the season after having the bye.

Maggie Doyle was the top-scorer for the victors, dropping 10 points on the night in a huge display which accounted for almost half of her team’s 24 points.

Amy Pepper managed to find some space at the offensive end for Minders Blue, scoring eight points in the loss, however her team still finds itself at 0-3 to start the year.

Both teams sit in the bottom two on the ladder, however the Dolphins are essentially 2-0 and another win could give them a huge boost up the table.

Tigers d. St Mary’s Black

TIGERS moved to third on the ladder after a narrow five-point win over St Mary’s Black, thanks to another strong game from the younger brigade in the yellow.

Karoraina Karatau-Keightley continued the consistent season, added another eight points to her name in the win, while young gun, Ella Sevior, also chipped in with eight points.

Saints’ Saskia Gould had a big night out, dropping 13 points in a losing side, but needed more assistance from her teammates, eventually falling short, 30-35.

Tigers has been the best scoring team in the competition so far this season with 125 points across three games and any team that wants to claim victory will have to keep its defensive structure very tight.

Division 1 Men

Barber Boys d. Minders Blue

THE Men’s Division One season is heating up as Barber Boys flexed its muscles and smashed Minders Blue by 28 points in what was a walk in the park for the ladder leaders to win, 51-23, on Wednesday night.

Nate Krause was feeling the groove, draining five three-pointers on his way to a massive 20-point game, with assistance from Shai Bunworth (10 points) under the ring, Minders Blue was no match.

Aaron Glare was back to his best for Minders, finding his way to the ring and scoring handy buckets from the paint to finish with 11 points.

The percentage boost keeps Barber Boys firmly at the top of the ladder with a healthy percentage of 179.31, and are yet to have a blemish on their season record.

Minders White d. St Mary’s Black

MINDERS White was too strong for St Mary’s Black, as it managed to get the win by nine points in the end, 34-25.

The lethal duo on the night was Minders’ Angus Noske (15 points) and Josh Miller (11 points), who single-handedly got their team over the line.

The likes of Jack Jennings (seven points) and Bailey Baker (five points) did some good things at the other end and hit the scoreboard, but their scoring power couldn’t match that of the winning side.

The win pushed Minders White into third position, and it will be hoping it can bring it up to the top two sides in St Mary’s Orange and Barber Boys over the next two rounds.

Monivae Warriors d. Tigers by forfeit