On Sunday, it was the turn of the FIMBA GB +55 Men against a very good, young and highly rated Hull Hornets.
The starting five were the biggest yet with Gregory joined by the 6’8 Dave Spindley, 6’7 Stuart Bush, 6’4 Steve Claringbould and 6’3” Captain Terry Rose. The immediate team chemistry saw them romp into an early lead, dominate the boards and look like a team ready for a European Championship.
The bench rotation saw the “Smalls” take to the court, press and play a man defence that had carried on from where the starting five finished. Milne, Hanss, Dixon, Green and King dominated the fast break, penetrated at will and, despite the height disadvantage, kept the game a hotly contested affair.
As the game progressed, the fatigue of two games in 24 hours started to set in and Hornets fought back to take the lead. A superb defensive effort by Milne, who blocked the zone like a man possessed, Hanss who out rebounded taller players, Dixon hitting midrange jumpers and Green displaying a silky handle meant Hull never managed to stretch to more than a nine point lead. With 22 seconds remaining, Hull took the lead 46-45 and with a 55’s inbound ball, Hull sat back in their zone, the 55’s set up a shooting play but past inside to the waiting Gregory, who scored and got fouled with 4 seconds remaining. Final score 46-47.
The score doesn’t reflect the quality of the game, Hornets were superb hosts, a really good bunch of players and the game was played in the spirit that it deserved” said M55’s Head Coach Des Williams.
Coach Williams
