Coventry Crusaders (38) 79

Northampton (40) 84

Crusaders welcomed Division One newcomers Northampton Neptunes to the Coventry Sports Centre in what could have been another two points for the league table. 

Unfortunately for Crusaders it was the visitors that picked up the win, and disappointed the supportive Coventry fans. 

It was a close game with never more than an eight point difference between the sides, most of the match even closer than that. 

In the opening low scoring quarter Crusaders were in front most of the time, with Marcin Twierdzinski putting in 10 of Crusaders 14 points.   

Just before time ran out Northampton’s Mario Williams scored the basket that put his team ahead 14-16. 

The second quarter was a cat and mouse game with Neptunes scoring a basket or two and the Crusaders playing catch up all the while. The two sides traded baskets throughout the quarter and once again, Neptunes went up by two when the half time buzzer sounded leading 38-40 during the interval. 

During the half time interval, two Coventry school teams played a ten minute championship game.  The East & West schools tournaments Crusaders recently ran for Year 7 & 8 school teams resulted in the two winners, Cardinal Wiseman and Barrs Hill playing for the championship.  After a close fought game, Cardinal Wiseman ended up winning the tournament.  

As the second half of the Crusaders game got under way, the cat and mouse scenario continued. Neptunes led the way, going up a couple of baskets before Crusaders would score and keep them in a 2-5 point range.   

Sam Oatman was the hot shot in the 3^rd quarter, shooting 15 of his 17 points total in that period of time including 3 three’s and 3 two’s. 

At the end of the 3^rd Crusaders had just edged ahead to take the lead for the first time since the opening quarter 62 – 60. 

Crusaders lead did not last long, however.  Northampton seemed to want the win more than the Crusaders, and they played with more determination and motivation.  Before two minutes had passed, player/coach Mark Spatcher scored the basket that put Northampton ahead once again, and they never lost that lead.  

Williams had another big quarter for Northampton, scoring 11 points over that period of time, and the Neptunes were able to record their second win of the season 79 - 84 at the hands of their closest geographical rivals, the Coventry Crusaders. 

Crusaders play at home in the BBL Cup next Sunday 10^th Dec. at the Coventry Sports Centre against Worcester Wolves. 

Crusaders Scorers: Owen 3, Baynes Clarke 7, Donaldson 12, Neely 13, Twierdzinski 13, Solvason 14, Oatman 17