Sunday 13th November
DERBY TRAILBLAZERS V TCAT SHROPSHIRE WARRIORS
EBL Division 3 North

The Warriors squad travelled to Derby to take on the Trailblazers at Noel Baker School knowing that this was a game which they were well capable of winning if they played to their potential.

The first quarter saw the visitors’ man to man defence hold the hosts to just 16 points. However, offensively they were disastrous, and could only muster 9 points in the 10 minutes. Thankfully they got their offensive act together somewhat better in the second period, which they won 17 to 16 to be just 6 down at the half. However, the defensive warning bells were ringing out loud by the half time buzzer as the Trailblazers’ experienced hot shot Simon Spencer had by then hit over half of his team’s points - 18 including two big 3s – without anyone getting a hand in his face.

 

Trailblazers 32 Warriors 26

The third quarter saw us switch to a 2:3 Zone and the Trailblazers respond by shooting us to pieces for 10 minutes. Spencer again led the way for the hosts, added two more big threes on his way to taking his three quarters point total to an impressive 30. He was not the only Derby player now hot from the perimeter. Fellow guards Lewis and Henderson also added a money-shot each and by the buzzer the gap had opened to 18. The game was dead and gone!!! Our guys finally showed some fight and far greater offensive effectiveness in the final 10 minutes. They won the period 22 to 17. However, at the final buzzer Coach K was still shaking his head wondering why it had taken them 30 minutes to decide to compete.

Our scorers on the night were: Josh Crutchley (14), Simon Hoar (12), Luke Grant (8), Ben Parry (8), Aaron With (7), Craig Strickland (5), Matt Hardman (3) and Sam Shephard (2).
 
Final Score Trailblazers 82 Warriors 59

EBL Men’s Division 3 North Table as at 13th Nov 2011

 

Match Report: Tom Sunley

Photo: Carsten Dieterich