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Results
Hartlepool Hornets 53-66 Nunthorpe Velocity
Easingwold Vikings 58-66 Nunthorpe Velocity

Nunthorpe Velocity enjoyed an eggtra special Easter as they beat Hartlepool Hornets by 13pts and the travelled to Easingwold for the battle of runner up, overcoming the Vikings by 8pts to secure their second spot in the TBL Division 2. Velocity are actually tied on 37pts with leaders Norton Bulls, although Bulls have two games in hand whereas Velocity have now completed their league fixtures. With 1pt received for a loss, Bulls will be crowned Division Two Champions at their next game, whatever the result!

Redcar Mariners, who had been contesting the title all season are resigned to fourth place on 31pts while Easingwold will finish in third place. The lower end of the table is still to be determined as 5 teams tussle for final standings.

TBL Game of the Week

Easingwold Vikings 58-66 Nunthorpe Velocity
Velocity opened up the scores with Lewis Tovey back in the squad after missing the Hornets game. Tovey hit the first 4 points but this was quickly relieved by an impressive start from Jon Cleather and Jonny Copley who tied the game. Both teams traded baskets but the visitors were always slightly ahead, a slender lead which was greatly increased by Tom Early, who hit two last minute 3 pointers for a 7pt lead, 12-19.

The second quarter saw Velocity extend their lead with a 5-0 run before Copley broke the spell with a 3 pointer and was the man of the moment for Vikings as he collected 11pts in the quarter, although the hard working veteran; Wade Tovey seemed to pop up with the right shot at the right moment for Velocity to keep the Vikings at bay. A free throw from Phil Hale ensured Velocity would enjoy a 27-36 lead at half time.

Copley and Lee Bumby again found the net for Easingwold in the third quarter as the home team started the better side, closing the gap to 5ps. Yet again though Wade Tovey used his experience and skill to work in the right shot, low in the post and Daniel McKeen hit a nice jump shot shortly after to rebuff the Vikings attempts at gaining a lead. Phil Hale and Lewis Tovey increased the pressure on Easingwold towards the end of the quarter but a late flurry from Jonny Copley brought the home team back into the game, 42-47.

Wade Tovey collected his 13th point of the game in the first play of the final quarter and things were looking good for Velocity, although credit to Viking they never gave up hope and in the third minute Bumby, Cleather and Oliver Speight combined for a 6-0 run to bring them within 1pt, 48-49. Lewis Tovey halted the run with a smooth finish after a strong drive and Hale provided another 2pts to the cause through a shot from just outside the key. From then on Vikings struggled to produce the baskets, while the nervous finish caused Velocity to commit fouls, sending the Vikings to the line.

7pts including 5 free throws from inspirational Copley brought Vikings to within 1pt yet again on the seventh minute, but 2 cool taken free throws from Lewis Tovey ensured Vikings would not see the lead while Tom Early hit another two long range shots to claim the most important victory of the season, one that earned them the D2 runner up accolade.

The MVP is rarely awarded to a losing player and in this game the heroic path laid by Jonny Copley could have earned the honour had it not been for a superb performance at both ends of the court from Wade Tovey. Nunthorpe's veteran forward and elder statesman of the game is generally content to allow his team mates to take the scoring plaudits, but proved with this performance he still has what it takes, especially at the crucial stages of the game. Tom Early was also in contention for MVP with one of his best displays of the season in what was a great team performance by Nunthorpe.

Scorers
Vikings: Copley 30, Cleather 8 Bumby 6, Back 4

Velocity: Tovey L 15, Early 14, Tovey W 13, Hale 11