Crusaders Go Clear At Colchester

Paul Claridge was right to be confident in expecting Coventry Crusaders Wheelchair Basketball Team to maintain their 100% record when they visited Colchester United at the weekend.

Against a team that included at least three division one players, one of which is a Great Britain international, Crusaders held on to their record in style as they took their third consecutive league victory in what is becoming a dream start to their season.

Initially the game looked as if it could be a close run thing as having opened up the scoring for Crusaders, Carl Leeth traded baskets with Wendy Smith for Colchester.

Claridge soon joined in the action around the basket and by the end of the first period he and Leeth shared the points that gave Crusaders a slim lead 13 – 14.

Having weighed up the opposition in the first, the second quarter saw Crusaders set to work in taking them apart at both ends.

Bri Tierney coasted the length of the court unchallenged to get himself on the score sheet as he made a peach of a shot from the top of the key to extend the Crusader's lead to five 20 – 15.   Justin Gibson snatched a lovely offensive rebound to get himself off the mark and make sure Crusader's points were spread.

Nevertheless, it was the tight aggressive defence from Crusaders that kept Colchester under control, despite twice being penalised for not getting the ball over the half way line in the allotted 8 seconds.

Claridge received a technical foul against him as he joked about the official’s time keeping but Crusaders still managed to box out their hosts and restrict them to just four points in the quarter.

This season’s newcomer Neill Gardner, who continues to improve with each appearance, again found the basket much to the pleasure and encouragement of his team mates, and as Claridge closed the first half on the buzzer 17 – 28, Crusaders where right to look confident.

Some stray shooting for Crusaders prevented them from stretching their lead further at the beginning of the third, however, the home side failed to take the advantage as again the Coventry defence protected their basket and held their hosts to just four points.

Again it was Coventry's influential skipper that dominated the scoring as Claridge took 9 of the 11 points in the quarter.

The Coventry Coach was pleased however, with the full team effort and defensively it would be difficult to pick out an MVP.

With a 21 – 39 lead going into the final quarter, Crusaders slowed the pace of the game, and having judged what the opposition had to offer, the Coventry side were happy to play the clock down and keep their defence tight.

Adam Crinage who only decided to play at the last minute due to illness, showed why he is one of the best young players in the league.  Fifteen year old Adam played without fear as he faced opposition that towered over him, and determination like Adam's is a key factor to the Crusader success.

It took Crusaders almost five minutes to score their first of six points of this final period, although by then victory was well beyond reach for the home side.

The pattern continued and for the third successive quarter Colchester were allowed just four points.

What had started as a close scoring shoot out in the opening quarter turned into a "Stroll in the Park" for Crusaders as they closed 20 points up with a final score of 25 – 45.

Crusaders now look forward to continuing this brilliant start to their league campaign as they open up their home court season on 8th November when they welcome Bristol Pirates.