The National Stadium was the scene of a very lively and entertaining match between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals. In instances, there was a cross between football and basketball, but this was not an issue for the 6,000 spectators, including Sir Clifford Campbell.

Published Tuesday, October 5, 1965

Trotters and Generals sparkle

Variety acts exciting basketball sidelights

SIX THOUSAND spectators, headed by the governor general, Sir Clifford Campbell, were treated to a thrilling basketball game  by the magicians of show business basketball game, the Harlem Globetrotters, and their touring exhibition team, the Washington Generals, last night at the National Stadium.

The seven variety acts put on by the touring performers were as exciting and spilling as the basketball game and went over well with the spectators, who were seeing most of them for the first time. The juggling acts by Lee Mars and Kim Yokan's exhibition drew tremendous applause.

The second and final exhibition of the tour will be played tonight at the stadium, starting at 8 o’clock. They leave for Mexico tomorrow, where they will tour five cities playing 17 games.

From the start, it was clear that the Globetrotters really merited the name ‘Magicians of basketball'.

They all lined up for their warm-up drill, and even then the high standard of their skill could be seen.

They played around with the ball to the music of their theme song. This was done in a very jovial manner, and from then the crowd was clamouring to see them in real basketball action.

The game between the Trotters and the Washington Generals soon started and immediately the Clown Prince of Basketball, Meadowlark Lemon, took the spotlight and never seemed to run out of his amusing acts.

Mingled with this, Meadowlark and all the other Trotters displayed uncanny control and seemed to be able to score whenever they wanted.

Next in line as a sparkling crowd-pleaser was the baldpate Fred 'Curly' Neal. His dribbling was fantastic.  For over two minutes he tortured the Generals with deceptive dribbles, at times two inches from the ground and on knees and hands.

Despite what seemed an impossible task, the Generals kept fighting. Their outstanding player was Frank Stevens, who himself brought off some commendable plays. At the end of the first half, the Trotters led 40-32.

The second half was even more hilarious than the first. The Trotters really got cracking with their top-class pranks. This time even the referee got involved.

No one seemed interested in the score; they just wanted to see the Globetrotters play more, and they even played football at times on the big stadium fields.

The crowd was kept amused throughout the whole game, with the Trotters, as expected, winning 76-71.

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