[17 FEB 08] CRUSADER NEWS                    

      Worthing Thunder (48) 96 Coventry Crusaders (55) 82

It was a fast and furious first quarter at Worthing Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon, as Thunder took on visitors Coventry Crusaders in their first meeting this season.  

Mooney and Bates put on a scoring show for their home crowd, scoring 9 and 13 points respectively, in the first 10 minutes as the lead went back and forth four times to give Thunder a 29-27 lead. 

As the second quarter began, Crusaders reclaimed the lead with an 11-0 run kicked off by Sudler and Luethy combining well.   

Thunder struggled to get things going, as it was over four minutes into the 2^nd period before Bates managed to score their first basket.  

Crusaders kept up their scoring onslaught on the home side, as the Sudler – Luethy combination, again, did damage to the home side’s defence and outscored Worthing 28-19, going into the interval with a 55-48 lead. 

As the second half began Crusaders stayed ahead throughout, going up by as much as 12 points with under two minutes left of the 3^rd quarter 70-58. 

Three crucial three’s from Worthing’s Mooney and Brame helped them back into the game before Crusaders could go in to steal the win, as the home side desperately tried to get grips on a game they were fast losing control of. 

With those successive baskets their deficit was left to just 3 going into the last period of play, 72-69. 

When Worthing’s Woodfork scored another basket followed by another 3 for Brame, Worthing regained the lead they hadn’t seen since the 1^st quarter 72-74.  

Sudler who was forced to retire after sustaining an injury, left the Crusaders with a 6-man squad left to struggle on in an attempt to keep the momentum going that they had maintained for so long. 

Worthing then took over, hitting shots that suddenly became easy as they felt the pressure lift, and with a sustained attack against the Crusaders lagging forces, outscored their visitors 27-10 to win 96-82. 

Crusaders, depleted side, playing on the back of a tough game against Reading on Saturday, did well, to keep their game plan going, but simply ran out of steam just before they could finish the game off with what would have been a huge upset. 

The side are improving each week, and gaining confidence in themselves and each other, so it’s just a matter of time before the tide changes for them. 

Crusaders will have the opportunity for a re-match as they entertain Worthing Thunder at home on Sunday 24^th Feb. – tip-off at 4pm at the North Solihull Sports Centre.   

Crusaders play away on the Saturday to London Leopards. 

Crusaders scorers: Sudler 29, Luethy 26. Baynes Clarke 11, Spare 8, Taylor 5, Hall 2

Thunders scorers: Mooney 24, Bates 21, Woodfork 18, Brame 11, Marrast 7, Hildreth 7, Scott 6, Midgley 2