Crusaders Out Of Patron's Cup

Any hope of progressing further in the Patrons Cup was dashed on Sunday afternoon with a disappointing display of basketball from Coventry and Warwickshire Crusaders.  After holding a commanding lead in the opening quarter, Crusaders fell apart to allow Liverpool to take victory 79 - 76.

Coach Derrick Pope will struggle to find anything positive from this game other than maybe the 22 points from Kevin Richard. 

In the first quarter Crusaders dominated every aspect of the game other than missing their first four free throws of the game. 

Despite this good shooting, dominant rebounding, and some inventive interceptions by Crusaders gave them a healthy 12 point lead 12 – 24 at the close of the first quarter. 

When Crusaders stretched the lead to 14 points at the start of the second, Crusaders still looked the better team. 

However, it was Liverpool who was by far quicker to react to their position, steadily chipping away at the Crusader lead.  

Meanwhile the Crusader's defence failed to respond in order to ward off the Liverpool attack, and wayward shooting from Crusaders prevented them from building on their score. 

Again poor free throw shooting played a major part in what was rapidly becoming an indifferent Crusader performance. 

By the end of the half Liverpool had clawed back the 12 point deficit of the first quarter to even things up at 39 a piece going into the interval. 

The opening seconds of the third looked nervous for Crusaders as John Linsley put the home side ahead for the first time in the game. 

Crusaders failed to find the basket on their first three attempts whilst Jan Michael - Nation and Adam Nowell added to Liverpool's tally 45 - 39. 

Eventually inside the third minute, it was Derrick Pope scoring his first points of the game that got Crusaders off the mark from the free throw line.

Having been fouled while driving to the basket, Pope's points appeared to inspire Crusader's Kevin Richard and Dip Donaldson, into a 2 - 13 run that saw them retake the lead 47 - 52 for Coventry. 

Nevertheless, again it was Linsley who came back for Liverpool and partnered by Alistair Rae brought the score line level.

While the home side appeared to continue to score at ease Crusaders failed to reach the basket on more than one opportunity.  

Rae put Liverpool ahead inside the final minute of the third quarter, but Philip Rose gave Crusaders a chance to end on level terms when he fouled Craig Robertson on the half way line. 

Two text book free throws from Robertson levelled things up at 60 points each going into the decisive final quarter. 

Despite a good spell from Crusader's new boy Alistair Spiers, Crusaders were making far too many errors, giving Liverpool an unnecessary advantage and going into the closing two minutes Crusaders were down by 9 points 77 - 68. 

After a productive time out with one minute thirty eight left in the game, Crusader's looked again like the team they are, but by this time too many opportunities had been wasted and they had gotten themselves into a frustrating position. 

Passing the ball from the side line to Robertson waiting under the basket Pope gave the Scot an easy 2 points before sinking his only long range shot of the game to narrow the gap.  When Pope drew a foul on his next lay up, the Crusader skipper gave hope to his side as he brought

Crusaders to within reach of over time 76 - 79 before a final time out was called. 

Setting up a final pressure play at the time out, saw Pope pass the ball from the side line deep in their own half, to Robertson, waiting to attempt a three point shot at the Liverpool basket. 

It was a brave move and if it had worked it would have given Crusader's hope of a comeback in overtime, but instead emulated the course of the game and left the Crusaders heading back down the M6 in subdued mood after a performance that had started with so much promise. 

Speaking after the game Crusader Owner Dip Donaldson summed things up, "What a difference a week makes …"

Reflecting on Crusader's failure to reproduce the exciting form from last weekend's triumph in the friendly they played against the American Air force Team. 

Crusader Scorers                          Liverpool Scorers

Kevin Richard                22                      Jan Michael - Nation    22

Larry Graves                 13                      Alistair Rae                    18

Derrick Pope               9                       Harold Panzo                 13

Craig Robertson             9                       John Linsley                   12

Alistair Spiers               8                       Adam Nowell                   4

Dip Donaldson              6                       Chiz  Onoura                   4

Sam Spare                    6                       Phillip Giantsis                 2

Lee Muir                        2                      

Ed Baynes Clarke         1

Team                            4