Teesside Basketball League TBL Game Time (From The Northern Echo)

Under Strength Vikings Tame Poor Lions

12:08pm Tuesday 4th November 2008 in Teesside Basketball League By James Thomson

Basketball in association with Game Time & PrincipulPSD.com

This week saw significant action from the Teesside Basketball world as Richmond Vikings experienced mixed fortunes after being soundly beaten by both Middlesbrough Lions B, 92-58 and SCM Supersonics B 67-54 in division 2 while their A team soundly beat a full squad Middlesbrough Lions A in division 1, 66-73. The Vikings will take even more credit for their big win as they only had 6 players compared to Lions 10 man squad, all talented but disjointed in this particular encounter. Chris Lyle was the MVP for his 32pt haul, supported well by Lee Norton with 24. Burton and Cooper rallied Lions with 21 & 18 respectively. Lions ironically move into first position above SCM due to being awarded 1pt for playing the fixture but the Norton side have a game in hand and the Lions now face a catch up game.

Middlesbrough Lions B team are in pole position in division 1 with 2 wins from 2 games after the victory over Vikings B. MVP Michael Peddie was in splendid form as he led with 26pts, closely followed by Matthew Brown on 23. Ashley Farrelly was top dog for the Vikings with 20pts Game of Week SCM Supersonics B travelled to Richmond to play their first league game of the season and began slowly as the young Vikings raised their defence and ran the floor well to take a 10-5 lead by the seventh minute. Paul Robinson then instigated a 9-2 run for the visitors with a 3 pointer to earn a slender 12-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Supersonics adopted a more aggressive style of defence which led the visitors into foul trouble. A timeout was called and Coach Jaycie Hall instructed his players to penetrate the defence in anticipation of the foul. This tactic worked well as far as increasing the foul woe for Steve Butlers Supersonics but not so well in terms of conversion as the home side failed to convert 70% of their free throws. At the end of the half SCM led by a slender 2pts.

The third quarter witnessed free scoring form for Vikings Mark Williams and John Ford although mid way through the period, the experience of Jeff Robinson was used to good effect as he plied his trade at both ends of the court. From the fourth minute onwards, Supersonics began to build a lead and at the mid way point the score was 34-41 to the visitors, although Richmond showed great determination, especially from Donna Cuthbertson as she hit 5 of her 8pts.

The final quarter was a case of heartache for Richmond as Rob Talbot buried two 3 pointers followed by good shooting from Raymond Jackson to stretch out a lead that Richmond were unable to pull back. The rebounding of Mxolisi N’Dlovu was a telling factor of the game but the young Vikings can take consolation for coming close to beating a well drilled and experienced side. In the end SCM Supersonics were celebrating a 54-67 victory. The MVP was awarded to Rob Talbot who effectively sealed the game for SCM with his 3 pointer flurry in the final quarter, finishing with 13pts. Richmond’s Mark Williams was the games top scorer with 17.

National League Middlesbrough Lions U15 squad suffered a 94-52 defeat at the hands of Durham Wildcats this week. The Lions are facing a tough season in their first ever National league campaign, especially considering the majority of Lions are often 2 years younger than their counterparts. However a number of positives were identified with the Middlesbrough side with good individual displays especially from Patrick O'Connor, Sean Beadle and Daniel Chirnside on his debut. The Lions junior side will play next at home to Thirsk Thunder at 1pm prior to the senior game.

Middlesbrough Lions senior side will play their first national game at home to Westleigh Warriorz this Sunday with tip at 4pm at Eston Sports Academy. Tickets are on sale at £8 adult and £5 child although the club are running a season long half price entry scheme with vouchers available to download at www.game-time.co.uk A number of special guests are expected in the VIP lounge as well as a good crowd to cheer on the Lions. Tickets are available in advance at Eston Sports Academy 01642 452488.