Saturday 8th October 2011
STOCKPORT FALCONS     vs.     TCAT SHROPSHIRE WARRIORS
EBL Division 3 North

Warriors travelled to the outskirts of Manchester today to face a relatively unknown Stockport side, with the TCAT team hoping to maintain their winning start to the 2011 league campaign.
It was the Shropshire side that started the stronger, with well organised man to man defending, especially from guards Ben Parry and Matt Hardman, forcing the Falcons into a number of turnovers. Strong work from Simon Hoar and Aaron Withe under the opposition’s board helped the Warriors race to an early 10 pts to 2 lead. Sam Shepherd was in dominating form again with numerous defensive rebounds, but the highlight of the first quarter was when Hoar amazingly scored from practically floor level after being heavily fouled in the act of shooting, and calmly sinking the extra point to give his team a deserved 19 points to 6 lead at the first break.

Ben Parry drives to the basket

The second quarter proved a more even contest though, with the Falcons’ no. 9 Salabank and no. 14 Akintoye finding their shooting range. In reply, the hard working Shepherd added a number of offensive rebounds and another 4 points to his personal stats, and a long pass from Hardman was well collected by Jared Rushton going on to score a pressurised lay up, quickly followed by another from a well timed steal. The Warriors grew in confidence and a series of fast passing offensive plays opened up the Falcons zone defence, leading to more points for Parry and Shepherd. A superb 3 pointer from Withe helped Warriors on to 24 points for the quarter, giving a half time score line of:-
Falcons 27  :  Warriors 43.

In the break Coach Nico congratulated his team on their strong, disciplined offence, but he called for much tighter defence from them, especially on the long range shots that the Falcons were finding so successful.
Parry got the third period off to a flying start with two excellent 3 pointers, again the result of sharp passing plays. Team captain Craig Strickland worked well with Hoar on a tricky pick and roll play, with Hoar getting inside onto well taken lay ups. Sadly in the latter stages of the quarter, Hardman was forced to leave the game due to a painful ankle injury sustained after contesting for a loose ball. The score at the three quarter mark, Warriors leading 61 pts to 43.
In the final period Warriors piled more pressure onto the Falcons players who, as Coach Nico correctly predicted, started to show signs of tiring and give the ball away more easily. Strickland was fouled on a number of occasions while driving in on the jaded Stockport defence, but replied with a superb 5 from 6 from the free throw line. Hoar again scored strongly in the last quarter on the way to a final score of:-
Falcons 52  :  Warriors 80.

Warriors top scorer – Simon Hoar: 23 excellent points with 3 assists and 3 steals

Warriors MVP – Ben Parry: 20 big points, 5 from 6 at the line, 3 huge 3 points and 2 assists. Worked extremely hard all the time on court, excellent shooting especially from distance, great safety work.

 

A fantastic result for the TCAT Warriors on their travels, against a strong Falcons side that fell prey to the men from Shropshire.
Best wishes for quick recoveries to Matt Hardman and Luke Grant and hope that they are both back in action very soon.

 

Match Report: Adrian Rushton

Photos: Carsten Dieterich