NBL DIVISION 2 NORTH 25/01/03

DERBY v Northampton Neptunes

Derby Trailblazers met Northampton Neptunes at Chellaston School on Saturday determined to revenge themselves for a one point defeat in Northampton earlier in the season.

Derby were back to nearly full strength with Nick Holland and Jon Elliott returning to the team, but after losing at Liverpool last week Coach Wiggins felt obliged to suit-up. The early stages of the game were balanced with Derby trailing only by one with eight minutes gone. Northampton chose to press for the final minutes of the quarter and this unsettled the younger Derby side into a series of turn-overs which saw the Neptunes finish the session with an 11-2 run and Trailblazers found themselves trailing by 10 points at the quarter.

QUARTER 1 – 19 - 29

In the second quarter the Derby coach felt obliged to join the action. Wiggins’ presence re-established Derby in the game and he brought more structure to the defence, best illustrated by the veteran taking a charging foul on the influential Mark Spatcher as he drove to the basket. With their confidence restored Derby pulled themselves back into the game sparked by nine points from the improving Leighton Coyle and eight from the reliable Simon Allaway. Despite Jon Elliott’s late basket being ruled out by the halftime buzzer Derby went into the break three points up.

HALF TIME – 41-38

In the third quarter Derby managed to keep their noses ahead throughout. During this quarter Clarence Wiggins and Jon Elliott maintained their grip on the game by rebounding strongly at both ends. Derby ended the quarter’s scoring with a monstrous Jon Elliott dunk to finish the period up by four.

THIRD QUARTER – 56- 52

Derby retained their control of the game throughout the final quarter. Once again Simon Spencer was closely marked and did well to produce 14 points. He made several important baskets down the stretch to ensure a Derby victory and it was appropriate that his free throw put the game out of Northampton’s reach. His regular scoring partner Simon Allaway finished with 23 and Leighton Coyle recorded 17 points. Jon Elliott rebounded well and produced a double double (12 & 20), but the win owed much to the stabilising influence of the veteran Wiggins. The team now need to look ahead to entertaining Stoke Stealers, at Chellaston School on Saturday, tip-off 3.00pm, Stoke will be looking for revenge having been beaten by Derby away earlier this season.

FINAL SCORE – 75-85

NBL DIVISION 2 NORTH 18/01/03

Great Win for Magic 2.

Manchester Magic II: 71  Northumbria University: 70 

Another nail-biting performance from Magic 2 gave them a crucial victory over close rivals Northumbria University, to ensure that they keep their place in the Northern Second Division of the National League.

By excellent coaching, Neil Bradley has guided his troops into second position.

Only a close defeat by Liverpool has blemished their record and the team are on course to reach the play-offs and maybe promotion to Division 1 for next season.

Another Fine Win for Magic 2.

The Club’s team in the National League 2^nd Division, the Magic 2, coached by Neil Bradley, is having a fine start to the season. They continued their 100% run on Saturday with a win away against Stoke Stealers by 85-75. They are now in joint first place in the Division with Liverpool and it should be a fascinating clash on Saturday when the two sides meet at the Amaechi Basketball Centre. Tip-off is at 4.00 p.m. and admission is free.

NBL Division 2 Men 19/10/02

Portsmouth Pirates 99-87 Colchester Alliance

Portsmouth notched up their first win of the season at Portsmouth Grammar School on Saturday, and it was most unexpected as they came from a 32-53 half time deficit to win in overtime.

Portsmouth had rising star Craig Hughes and Grant Smith missing due to work commitments, and Assistant Coach Richard Bell and newcomer Paul Goodale suiting up in their place. 

Portsmouth took a long time in getting into their game in the first quarter and were 16-2 down before they scored their second basket, and at the end of the quarter they were still admiring the Colchester team who were very quick in transition and were playing some very robust full court press defence.

The second quarter followed very much the same pattern with missed shots resulting in fast breaks, and easy lay-ups for the Essex side. 15 of those points came from Keeling the Colchester captain who was dominating the game.

Gary Hughes and Jon Rumsey, back from an injury sustained in mid-week, did their best to stem the tide but it seemed nothing would go right for the Pirates.

Mick Byrne though was pleased with his side’s performance. He told his team at half time that they were playing well up to the basket but had to take more time with their shooting.

The 1.2.2. Zone defence used by the Essex side was starting to wilt, and the team looked at methods to break it down.

The half time talk looked to have failed, as Pirates were still 65-44 down with 7 minutes of the second half gone. Then came the revival with Lawrie Vormorwah leading the charge with 11 points in this spell. Pirates scored 23 points without reply and led 68-65 after 4 minute of the last quarter. From then on they fought like tigers and even when Colchester came back and played some good basketball and regained the momentum of the first half to lead 78-72.  Pirates were not finished. Lawrence Rowe came off the bench and scored 12 points in the last quarter and converted steals off the influential Keeling.

Pirates pulled back bit-by-bit and when they went 80-78 up from a Jon Rumsey basket, with seconds to go they missed a chance to win the game in regular time, which allowed Colchester to score and tie up the game at 80 all.

In the 5 minute extra period it is best to score first and Rowe coasted in for a long jump shot, but then Colchester stepped up their game and calmed their nerves, as they stretched into an 82-87 lead coming into the last minute. It looked all over for the Pirates but despite Rumsey fouling out they put in a rousing last effort. Goodale and Rowe were fouled going to the line but they converted their free shots, 86-87. The last minute was agony but first Gary Hughes scored with a break and Rowe once again with a steal and 2 points 90-87. Then captain Alex Byrne stepped to the line, with the score at 90-87 and converted both free shots, the game was won but not over. First Hughes and then Rowe hit their free shots and Vormorwah hit a big 3-pointer to seal off a famous win.

Next weekend the Pirates travel to Plymouth to play league leaders Tamar Valley on Saturday at the Kitto YMCA centre, Jump Ball at 7.30

Team and scorers: Hughes 26 points 12 rebounds; Rumsey 20 points and 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots;

Vormorwah 19 points; Rowe 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals; Goodale 11 points, 8 rebounds; Ifeachor 4 points and 3 rebounds; Byrne 2 points, 9 assists 3 rebounds and 1 steal; Bell 1 rebound; Chambers, Underwood.