Vikings To Strong For Crusaders

COVENTRY CRUSADERS 1, 31  VIKINGS 1 (LIVERPOOL) 58

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 NORTH

After last weeks tight finish, which resulted in victory at their first attempt in Division 2. Crusaders 1 continued their league campaign on Saturday by hosting the Vikings from Liverpool.

A quality outfit packed with masses of talent and experience, and having competed in Division1 last season, Vikings were going to be a formidable opposition for Crusaders.

With the exception of influential play maker and Crusader new boy, Keith Batty, The Crusaders line up was the same as the one which beat the West of Scotland.

Sho Ayub replaced absent Batty in the starting five, along side Adam Crinage, Carl Leeth, Captain Paul Claridge and Bri Tierney.

Despite having just moments before completed a third division tie with Crusaders 2 moments 16 year old Adam Crinage assisted his Captain Paul Claridge in getting Crusaders off to a good start as they traded baskets with their visitors one and three respectively.

The Vikings team were however, just warming up and soon started to hit everything from inside and out.

A second basket from Crinage kept the lead down to single figures as the opening quarter finished 10 – 17 in Vikings favour.

The second quarter was a close affair with the Crusaders matching the scoring of the Vikings 6-6.

The visitors couldn’t pull away and the Crusaders couldn’t close the gap due to missing easy baskets.

Thus the half ended 16 – 23 to the Vikings.

Throughout the match the Vikings had used their excellent big guys inside to great effect which was matched by the Crusaders defence.

Nevertheless in the 3rd quarter the Vikings switched tactics and brought in outside marksman Highcock who nailed 8 points in the quarter and eventually 25 points for the game.

The game was effectively won there and despite a spirited game from the Coventry team they could not match the superb finishing from the Vikings.Final score 31-58 to the Vikings.

Over all the team played better than they did in their victory over the West of Scotland, but this was real quality opposition.

Crusaders though again missed far too many easy chances and were made to pay by a very slick and well disciplined Vikings team.

Speaking after the game Coach Claridge said

“We were expecting this league to be very competitive, and I am very happy that we starting to compete with teams like the Vikings who have very talented players and have years of experience playing together.

"Playing such great opposition is inspirational and we are enjoying the challenge”.

Crusaders Scorers, Paul Claridge 18, Adam Crinage 11, Carl Leeth 2.Crusaders 1st and 2nd teams play their next games away to the Sheffield Steelers on Sunday the 10th October.

Before returning to City College a week later  Saturday 16^th October when Crusaders 2 take on Chester Jets at 11:00am Followed by Crusaders 1 matching up against Furness Falcons at 1:00pm