Phillies 78 – Microgaming Cavaliers 64
This was a historic victory for the Phillies, beating the Cavs for the first time in their history while also condemning them to their first league defeat since 2011. More interestingly, this result has blown the top of the table wide open and left Phillies just a single game behind the Cavs at the top. The game started well for Phillies, with Raj Mallorca quarterbacking the point guard spot and finding the excellent Manny Dato who was deadeye from the elbow. Cavs were struggling to even get open looks at the basket with the pressure being put on point guard David Clark and only a couple of late baskets from Clark kept them close in the first. Neither team could get an advantage in the second, but the Phillies were forcing Clark into a raft of turnovers and a couple of Dato buckets gave them the edge at the half. Revi Del Rosario swished a three early in the third and some more from that man Dato threatened to turn into a decisive run but Paul Kilic for the Cavs clawed some points back and left it poised at only a four point gap for the final quarter. Del Rosario and Mallorca were imperious in leading the Phillies charge from the off and out of nowhere, the Phillies had a 15 point lead which Cavs tried to claw back but costly turnovers and poor defence put paid to that. The ending was soured with a player ejection and some post game exchanges but that shouldn’t detract from what was a richly deserved win for the Phillies. Man of the match must go to Manny Dato.
Rams 53 – Giants 31
Coming off a high in their comeback win against Pokerstars last week, Rams were evenly matched in the opening quarter against a much improved Giants team. Aris Canson was dominating the scoring for Rams while Giants were much more balanced, getting all players in the points and it was Giants who emerged with the slight lead. However, a disastrous second quarter saw Mel Valencia and Canson run riot on the offensive end while Giants were limited to just two baskets. Jo Harris and Craig Reid did their best to turn things around in the third but it was not to be and the game closed out with another Valencia run that put a 22 point stamp on the victory.
Celton Warriors 69 – Marvels 54
Warriors welcomed back Chris Wolfendale and David Dallimore from work related absences and they both made immediate impacts on the game, combining well with Steve Christian inside to establish an early lead but the bullish driving of James Horton was keeping Marvels in touch. Kyle Mills was also shooting well from outside but Warriors seemed to be scoring two baskets for every one of Marvels so the lead soon grew into double figures, despite Horton’s relentless attacks to the basket. Dallimore was the main threat in the third and with Wayne Mears taking over in the fourth, the Marvels couldn’t find a way back into the game and it was a comfortable saunter to the finish line for the resurgent Warriors who are still very much in the title hunt with other results tonight.
Ron Smiths Turkeys 70 – Pokerstars 29
Pokerstars haven’t had a great run of late and they unfortunately ran into a Turkeys side in an extremely uncharitable mood. Limiting Pokerstars to a measly 13 points in the first three quarters, the Turkey defence was rock solid and hefty contributions from Allan Walkingshaw, Chris Kennish and Wig Bregazzi on the offensive end put this game beyond doubt early on. Pokerstars redeemed themselves in the fourth by tying the quarter score, Chris Jonat strengthening his case for the unofficial Most Improved Player award with some nice moves and the dependable Shawn McGurry chipping in with a few, but the game was over way before that.
Fellas 58 v Sinners 35
With both sides fielding a great bench, but Sinners without Leanne Corlett, this looked to be one of the closer games of the season, the teams vying for a second place in the league. Sinners came very close with a great start to the game, dominating the boards and an early run from Sarah Corkish for Sinners hitting the target. The Carridge twins for Fellas have been on great form of late and their showing in the first half was nothing short of their usual running offence. Both teams were relatively evenly matched and a strong contest for the half ended 34-21 to Fellas. Amber Carridge continued with her scoring spree and it was the Fellas fast breaks with great outlet passing that really caused some damage despite great hustle on defence from Mel Gribbin and Wendy Owen for Sinners. In the final quarter Fellas pulled slowly but surely away, and put on a defensive press here and there to push the turnovers, but Sinners handled the pressure well. Sue Webster had a great game for Sinners on the boards and scored a lovely couple of baskets, but the trademark Fellas fast breaking game closed down the Sinners with a solid victory for Fellas.
