Hornets: 84

Rainford: 47

Hornets controlled this game from start to finish and have a full team of point scorers enabling them to pile on the agony for a spirited Rainford. Hornet first 5 scored 43 points in this game and the “bench” scored 41 with a range of long shots, inside moves and fast breaks.

Sam Barnard was magnificent in Q1 grabbing rebounds at both ends and scoring 10 points in the quarter with a combination of jump shots and rebound returns. Tellingly in addition to this he drew the Rainford Centre into foul trouble early in the game and this was to pay extra dividends throughout the game. Andrew Rushton and John Whelan proved a handful from the post, John scoring over two defenders in a basket of sheer determination. Andy Sienkiewicz benefitted from the line after a powerplay and Danny Wareham finished a magnificent fast break. Hornets were up by 5 at the end but thought they deserved to be up by more.

Danny and Kris Wood combined well to provide assists for each other and Kris got his 3 point shot into action early in the Quarter. Hornets were looking unstoppable now and the defence locked into place with fantastic help defence. Kris seemed to be able to score at will landing inside shots and another 3 to take his quarter tally to 10. Guy Johnson scored off a rebound and Andy landed the basket of the night. John and Tush returned to the fray and couldn’t  be stopped as they ran in 8 late points between them. Hornets were 23 up at the break.

Danny immediately opened Q3 finishing off a fast break but Rainford rallied to hold together their defence and Hornets struggled to get past. Points started to flow again from the free throw line Tush, Guy and Sam Bithell were all 100% from the line after being fouled “in the act” – with Rainford in foul trouble John, Guy and Andy all found a path trough from close in and the Hornets had stretched their lead to 31.

Hornet players now decided to show off some of their defensive skills – Zander Fyfe and Tom Lee making the art of double teaming and steals look easy. Tom also unleashed a couple of long range shots the second only being a 2 pointer with a toe nail on the line. Tush could only be stopped by illegal means from his post drives and benefitted from the line. Kris landed a well worked jump shot and fittingly it was Kris’s assist to Danny to score the last basket. Both players walked off having completed their best match of the season – so far!

Top Scorer – Kris and Tush both 15 Points

Played Out of their skin – Kris and Danny – both made point scoring look easy.

Best Basket – Andy provides a pick for Kris to work off. Both defenders go to Kris’s faked shot and Andy spins to find Kris’s pass in his hands to finish with only air between him and the ring.

Must Improve - Transition from defence to offence was a little slow at times