Taunton Tigers U16s entertained Tamar Valley Cannons for the second time this season in the second round of the cup at home in the Richard Huish Dome. Having already beaten Tamar away from home in a physically fought game, by 6 points first time around, Tigers knew that a better performance was required and the team did not disapoint.
The first half was a tense affair which saw the Tigers begin to edge away from the Cannons as they combined excellent team defence with an improved offence. However it was in the second half that the team produced its best basketball. Tigers held Tamar to only 10 points in the entire second half. Credit must go to the Tigers defence which hurried and forced Tamar into bad options. The level of intensity lifted the atmosphere of the dome which is fast becoming a formidable place for other teams to come and play.
The Tigers team were excellent in nearly all areas, especially from the free throw line with which the Tigers scored 18 out of 25. The team benefited largely from the return of Sam Hardy from injury, his performance was of high standard. Hardy top scored for the Tigers with 16 points but it was his efforts in the rebounding department which most impressed.
It was a great all-round performance and for the young Tigers team to progress far this season they will have to produce this level of play on a regular basis.