Taunton Tigers have hit a hugely impressive run of form in their quest for promotion to Division 3 of the England Basketball National League. Since a wobble at the start of the season, when they surprisingly lost their first two matches, they have swept all before them with a 9 game winning streak.
The latest team to succumb to Tigers' power was Team Gloster Jets. The two sides had met just 3 weeks earlier when, although they ran out winners, there were times when Taunton struggled to break down a well-organised Jets defence. Since then Gary Carter's squad has clearly done its homework and the result was this overwhelming 42 point victory.
The pattern of play in the first quarter gave little indication of what was to come, though. The visitors were clearly the better side, but Gloster stayed in the game and restricted Taunton to 22 – 17 lead at the first break. It was in the second period that Tigers really exploded into life, outscoring their hosts by 33 points to 8, to lead 56 – 25 at the half-way stage.
With Jets only mustering a further 10 points in the third quarter, Taunton strolled to victory in the second half.
Dan Howe led the Tigers' scorers with 21 points and there were also excellent contributions from Harry Turner (16) and Kev Anderson (13).
This was both the biggest winning margin and the highest points total of the season for Tigers. They have a rest next week before travelling on 5th March to play the University of Chichester Thunder. A win in that match would guarantee them a place in the end of season promotion play-offs.