Crusaders Cadets 91 Leicester Cannons 66 

Mixed Fortunes Again For Crusader Youth Teams

For the second week in succession it was the Crusader Cadet leading the way in the National league age group competitions.

Coached by former Crusader Senior Star Alvin Scott, and his assistant Ian Bache, the under 16 team have gone from strength to strength, by continuing from were they left off in the latter part of last season.

Ready to build on their huge 95 – 34 point win a week earlier over Leicester Sparks, Saturday saw them make their first road trip of the season travelling over to Leicester to this time face The Leicester Cannons.

It was however Crusaders own big guns that dominated the opening quarter, in the form of Bryson Pope and Kane Hudson racking up 8 points before Cannons had any chance to fire back.

Even when they did, Cannons were unable to defend against the force of the Crusader attack.

In the second quarter however the home side collected themselves and put on a good display in an attempt to bring themselves back in to the game, nevertheless, quite undeterred by the cannons assault, Crusaders continued to mount up points.

It was more of the same in the second half with Ricardo Gordon, Luis da Silva Romero, Sydney Donaldson and Matt Wood making every opportunity count.

Newcomers to this seasons Crusader side Neil Collins, Dean Smith and Ash Malhotra all put in appearances, and it was more than promising to see them holding there own in the fourth quarter to maintain the 66 – 91 point win and hold on to top spot in the Central Conference.

Cadets have a break in the schedule now until 6^th |November when they hit the road again this time heading for Northampton.

In the mean time however some of them will be on duty with the Junior team who after their own promising start to the season when they won 70 – 64 to last years runners up Ilkeston Outlaws, have since been on the receiving end of two heavy losses.

Two weeks ago a depleted Junior team went down 96 – 54 at Derby Trailblazers, and on Saturday they lost 46 – 66 to the league leader Leicester Dynamite.

This poor start has come as a blow to the team that won this same league last season, but who are currently laying down in fifth place.

Crusader Juniors have their chance to make amends on Saturday when they welcome Lincolnshire Wildcats to the Coventry Sports Centre at 5pm. Wildcats are still looking for their first win of the season. It will be Crusaders job to make sure they don’t find it here.