SPARTANS WIN BATTLE AT CHINA RED

New-boys Leamington Spartans gained their first win to kick-start their season with a
64-46 victory over Warwick China Red at Woodlands.
Spartans applied for a place in the second tier of Warwickshire Basketball but were, like the rest of
these sides, thrust into a much-enlarged top flight and came through their opening match fearing
they had bitten off more than they could chew. But, a terrific final quarter against lively Warwick
china Red saw them take the points from their hosts who caved in after holding out for most of
the first half.
It was an encouraging all-round team display from the Leamington side who trailed 25-23 at halftime
but found their touch early in the last quarter as China Red fell away from 43-51 to let in
eleven more points without disturbing the Spartans’ net.
Coventry College bounced back from defeat to downgrade Tornadoes to a mere storm with a 72-
54 win as Vaidas Cerkunovas grabbed the headlines with 35 points. Plucky Tornadoes stayed with
their visitors until near the end of the third period when College swept from 48-47 to 60-49 in a
five minute spell to kill off their hosts.
Ricky Fennell has one eye on the Hotshot award already, and he slammed home 42 points as
Aylesford Hawks continued their fine form to ease past Cracovia Stratford 79-67 in a thriller at
Moreton Morrell. Hawks led 26-8 at one time, and then 55-33 before Stratford found their range
with a quartet of three-pointers, but they had left it too late, and as triples rained in a both ends
Hawks proved too good with Fennell having a field day.
Chasing Hawks at the top of the league are surprise package Tamworth Tigers who came through
yet another game unscathed. Following their win against Leamington they made a happy return
from Hereward College, where Tile Hill Trojans 2 were on the wrong end of a 44-64 result. Lukasz
Bolda led the Tigers’ charge with 23 while Trojans cannot wait to get their full team together and
realise their potential with three regular starters missing this game.
There was a serious demolition threat as Arden managed to complete their fixture at JM Grizzles
with a full five players on court. And they tore into Grizzles from the off, building a 48-19 first half
lead which had the Warwick side gasping. A total of ten three-pointers contributed to their 90-56
scoreline as Sam Workman came good with 25 to complement Luke Hatfield’s 20.
Tile Hill Trojans 1 game at Ernesford and their third team’s fixture at Rebels were called off for
court availability problems. This meant that the champions had a quiet week and, with their
veterans following suit, there was just one game left in Division Two. Westwood Rhinos had
several players missing from their usual squad and visitors Nuneaton Predators took full
advantage to gain their first win, as they ran out with a 56-43 victory. Trailing 35-14 at half-time,
Rhinos were pleased to see Matt Bevis who joined the fray to help them achieve something like a
score as they restricted Nuneaton to just nine points in the final period.

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