Match Report: Taunton Tigers Mens Team — 23 February 2008

Taunton Tigers vs West Anglia


A resounding 108 – 66 point win at Wellsprings allowed Taunton Tigers to move ahead of Coventry and back into the play-off places in Men's National Division 1. Coach Ronnie Heath rotated 12 players to maintain an intensity level that West Anglia Fury simply could not match. Taunton demonstrated how much they have developed over the season with an all-round team display against a team that had beaten them in the National Trophy less than six months ago.

It was once again the defensive pressure that fuelled the traditional Tigers fast break. Ball pressure coupled with team organisation forced eras that regularly resulted in easy lay-ups at the other end for Taunton. The fast maturing point guard Tim Clifford orchestrated the pretty patterns for the Tigers as they ran the floor.

Player Coach Banfield (20 points) and Manifold (18 points) kept the Fury in touch early on with typical quality shooting from range, but Tigers piled on the points to go up 28 – 16 at the first quarter before effectively killing the game by the end of the first half with a 61 – 33 lead. The ‘shooting machine’ Joe Saunders (21 points) as described by Announcer Richard Frost already had 4 three pointers by the break. Even he was outshone by the only player younger than him on the court, rookie Adam Rickward MVP who led all scorers with 22 points.

West Anglia opened the 2nd half with 9 – 2 run but then Matt Nolan normally the provider showed his offensive skills for 6 quick points to support Rickward and Captain Joe Andrews (19 points), to establish a 90 – 50 lead ahead of the final period.

At the end of the 3rd quarter MP Jeremy Browne presented a £9,000 Awards For All cheque to Jim Hartston who had made the successful bid on behalf of the club to fund further grass roots development.

Yabsley and Rich Anderson briefly dazzled in the 4th quarter before Heath rested his experienced players to give valuable court time to his developing squad. Coach Heath preferred to turn his attention to the Bristol game this Sunday at Wellsprings. The West Country rivals have added top Americans Ryan Williams and 7 foot Simons to their roster this year and enjoyed a comfortable 99 – 75 over the much smaller Tigers earlier in the season.

“We have shaken off our inferiority complex since the last time we played them. They have brought in some experienced pros to support some talented young players but we have individuals and a developing team to match them now. Bring your Mothers to the game on Sunday and we will promise you a much closer game than last time and just maybe a special treat!”

Supporters are reminded that the tip-off will be 4.30pm this Sunday for the most eagerly awaited game of the season.

Final Score: Taunton Tigers 108 – 66 West Anglia