18/2/2018

First Division South

Tornados 1: 49

Bears 1: 53

The Bears played out a physical battle on Sunday when they travelled to Littlehampton to face Tornados in a crunch game at the top of the First Division South.

The Bears were up against it from the tip-off with the fast-paced Tornados team playing a high tempo defence and putting the Bears under pressure all over the court.  The Bears matched the Tornados in defence, and neither team were able to gain any significant lead to finish the quarter Tornados 9 – 11 Bears.

Tornados started the second quarter with a concerted effort and slowly pulled away from the Bears to go into the lead early on.  After a timely time out half way through the quarter the Bears came out fighting and slowly pulled back the score and went into the halftime break with a lead of Tornados 18 – 23 Bears..

The third quarter was once again a battle between the two teams, but the Bears scored consistently at their basket and the Bears pulled further away to open a lead going into the last quarter with the scores Tornados 28 – 41 Bears.

The last quarter was a nail-biting affair with the Tornados pressing to try and overturn the lead the Bears had built up in the previous quarter.  With six minutes left, the Bears lost Jacob Robinson due to picking up his Fifth foul.   The Bears had to regroup and Derek Hall and Adrian Taber took to the court to try hold onto the lead.  The Tornados pressed on and fought back to within one point, with a minute on the clock.  The Bears were able to make a couple of breaks with Lee Powell scoring and putting the Bears again in front and see out the game with the scores Tornados 49– 53 Bears.

After the game coach Masterson said “That was a real battle and a close call.  Have to say well done to Tornados for pushing us all the way to the Buzzer.  It was a close game all throughout and especially there towards the end.  We were up against it today but having players like Derek Hall and Adrian Taber to come on from the bench helps when we lose one of our top players.”

Second Division South

Tornados 2: 32

Bears 2: 47

The Bears 2 made it a successful day when they won the battle of the second teams.  With a number of their squad missing, the Bears had to call up members of the Bears 3 team to fill in.  The new recruits didn’t disappoint and helped the Bears to a comfortable victory.   After the game coach Hall said “ Great to get the win today seeing as we had so many of our second team missing.  But it just goes to show how we are always looking to push our players through the ranks and today’s display will have some of the team looking over their shoulders now.”