29/4/2018

Second Division South

Norwich Lowriders: 28

Bears 2: 39

The Bears 2 kept their survival hopes of staying up in division 2 alive when they came away from Norwich with a hard fought win.  Once again Bears were missing some of their second team, due to injuries, but they were lucky to have their Invictus hopefuls, Rick Powell and Andy Roberts back available.  The Bears also had to promote their Junior player Aaron Grant, and also turn to their Women’s team captain Aimee Hillson, to step up to help with their survival fight.

The Bears looked nervous from the tip, and made a number of mistakes allowing Lowriders to score easy baskets and go into an early lead, whilst not being able to make the most of the chances they made.  The Lowriders built up a healthy lead at the end of the quarter with the scores Lowriders 14 – 6 Bears 2.

After the break the Bears regrouped and tightened up their defence and cut out their earlier mistakes, which helped them come back into the game.  With a stronger defence the Bears were able to start make in roads to the |Lowriders lead and whittle down the advantage that Lowriders had built up.  At the half time break the scores were Lowriders Lowriders 18  – 14 Bears 2.

The third quarter was the major turning point for the Bears.  Building on their strong defense in the second quarter the Bears were also able to find their way to the Lowriders Basket, with Grant and Roberts finding shooting opportunities and scoring, the Bears slowly pull back level and then went into the lead with the scores going into the last quarter  Lowriders 24 –  28 Bears 2. .

The last quarter also went to the Bears, who again built on their strong defence whilst young Aaron Grant and Andy Roberts were again able to find the Lowriders basket and pull further away and see the Bears take the victory with the scores at the final buzzer  Lowriders 28  – 39 Bears 2..

After the game coach Masterson said “That is a magnificent result for the Bears 2.  To come so far from home and get the win against a well drilled Lowriders team was brilliant.  Have to give special mention to young Aaron Grant, who finished as our leading scorer, and for someone so young to accomplish this just shows the talent this young man has.”