The Crusaders
wheelchair team recorded another two impressive wins this weekend as surprisingly easily
they took apart Stratford Players at home on Saturday, before cruising through the tie
against the Wasps away in Chatham on Sunday.
Coventry Crusaders 39 - Stratford
Players 15
Set to be
a high velocity, grudge match with the Players being the only team to beat the Crusaders
this season in a 1 point nail-biter before Christmas, Crusaders had trained hard and
looked confident as they anticipated another tough game against Stratford.
In reality
however, Crusaders turned over their midland rivals with class and with ease.
Stratford
only managed 2 points in the whole first quarter as Crusaders turned on the pressure from
the start, outsmarting Stratford in every position.
Good shot
selection and aggressive defence resulted in Crusaders being up 13-2 at the first break.
As
Crusaders spread the points with everyone on target and in form in the second period, the
Stratford team surprisingly had no reply with their shooters rimming out and wasting
chances. Crusaders were already looking very comfortable as the half closed 23 - 9 in
their favour.
The foot
stayed firmly on the gas in the third quarter with the Coventry team scoring 10 point with
no reply from the Stratford. By this stage the game was effectively over as the Players
fielded their bench, allowing valuable court time for the whole of the Coventry team.
The final
buzzer must have come as some relief to the disappointed Players but it signalled
Crusaders continued dominance of the league this season.
Crusaders
'Most Valuable Players' were Sho Ayub and Paul Claridge with 21 points between them.
Crusader
Scorers
Sho Ayub
11, Paul Claridge 10, Adam Crinage 8, Justin Gibson 4, Carl
Leeth 4, Bri Tireney 2
Wasps 28 - Coventry Crusaders 45
With their
hosts struggling at the foot of the table, Crusaders were confident as 11 players kitted
up in Chatham to face Wasps on Sunday.
As
predicted the game seemed somewhat academic from the start with Coventry scoring freely,
and Wasps putting up little or no defence.
The first
quarter closed 13-4 in favour of the Crusaders.
The
Coventry coach played the bench extensively with opportunities for the debut in National
League Basketball of Pammy Becksford-Jones.
Leading
from start to finish and with the team playing at just 50% Crusaders still managed to
record a valuable victory 45-28 to consolidate their pole position.
Coach
Claridge said "It's been a great weekend, I can't believe how well the team pulled
together to beat Stratford on Saturday. It's without doubt the best single performance we
have ever had as a team."
Lined up
to finish top in the league, The Crusaders now have 2 league games left before they
compete in the league playoffs in May to battle for promotion to the 2nd Division next
season.
Crusader
Scorers
Paul
Claridge 20, Sho Ayub 9, Carl Leeth 6, Adam Crinage 4, Justin Gibson 4, Bri Tierney
2
