Taunton Tigers came out of a 4 week break showing the same excellent form that they took into it and crushed Cornwall Cougars at Somerset College on Saturday. They've now won their last 5 matches and are in the middle of a tense three-way battle with Reading University and Chichester for one of the two end of season play-off spots.
Tigers dominated every aspect of the encounter with the Cougars and the outcome was never in doubt. As has so often been the case this season, it was defence that laid the foundations for success. Cornwall were held to just 12 points in the first quarter and 8 in the second, leaving them trailing by a huge 24 points at the half-way mark.
The second half was more closely fought, but a comeback never looked likely at any stage and Taunton eased away to a 34 point win.
All of Tigers' 12 man squad played significant minutes, but it was Kev Anderson who was the stand-out player. The highly experienced forward netted 7 of 9 shots from the floor, on his way to a game-high 17 points, and also grabbed 8 rebounds. Rich Nelsey also weighed in with 11 boards, as the home side out-rebounded their opponents by a massive 43 – 18 margin.
The win keeps Taunton in second place in the league. They now have vital home matches on each of the next 3 Sundays, beginning this weekend when third place Chichester are the visitors (Wellsprings 3.00 pm tip-off). Then, after hosting Team Gloster Jets on the 23rd, they entertain current league leaders Reading University on the 30th. The success of the whole season could rest on those games.