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Plymouth brethren sail into play-off final               Round-Up EBL Division One Semi-Finals Plymouth 96 Worthing 82 Another huge Pavilions crowd witnessed the Plymouth Raiders move through to the Play Off Championship game with an enthralling 96-82 victory over Worthing Thunder on Saturday. Raiders came out of the blocks the more confident side to take a fast and furious first quarter 32-21 with guard Gavin Love (12) and forward Roderick Wellington (10) sinking the crucial early points. A 9-0 run early in the second period brought Worthing some hope as Steven Gayle put pressure on Raiders defence and converted 5 free throws to help reduce the deficit to 4 points.  An unexpected source provided Raiders with new impetus as Deng Deng replaced Terrence Durham who was in foul trouble and recorded 6 points and 4 boards in a 6 minute spell to keep Raiders in the lead at 50-43 at the interval. With Dean Williams also falling foul of the referees’ whistles there was another twist for Raiders as back up guard mark Cahill entered the action in mid third quarter, when Thunder had pulled to within 2 points at 65-63, and put together the game of his life to knock down 2 swift treys and a total of 13 points in his 17 minutes straddling the final quarter break. Worthing had no answer and despite a late burst of 9 final quarter points from Gaylon Moore they were always fighting a lost cause against the league and cup winners. Thunder relied heavily on the individual efforts of Steven Gayle but he was largely nullified by Raiders’ tight defence and managed only 18 points, 12 of which were from the charity stripe.  Jamal Johnson looked dangerous in patches but the major difference between the sides was the team ethic of the Raiders who now move on to the NIA to try to capture their third trophy of this most successful  season.  Roderick Wellington (25) and Gavin Love and DeAntoine Beasley with 18 each topped Raiders scorers and there was even time for Gareth Laws to enter the fray for the final minute and net 4 points as the final nail in Worthing’s season.   Reading 89 Teesside 100 Reading Rockets crashed out of the National Championship Play Offs at the semi final stage losing  100-89 to a highly organised and physical Teesside team. Although bitterly disappointed Head Coach Dave Titmuss was proud of his team "We've worked really hard all season and finishing runners up in the League was a great achievement. I was particularly pleased with the effort right to the end of this game but on the day we just couldn't find our best form".  It was always going to be a close encounter although Rockets would have  gone into the game favourites by virtue of their two League victories  over Teesside earlier in the season. The first quarter was end to end high octane basketball. Rockets opened their account via Peder Madsen, surely a candidate for Player of the Season, with a superb long three pointer. Smith, Williams and Gardner all contributed with Cook and Hodds using their height to good advantage. Tremendous desire from both teams provided some excellent play and there was nothing in it at the end of the quarter with Rockets just ahead 26-24. It was a similar story in the second quarter although both defences were on top and Rockets only managed to score 17 points. Madsen and Smith spearheaded the attack with guts and determination but Teesside matched them basket for basket. It was 43 each with thirty seconds left and Mohawks using the clock intelligently, as they did throughout, scored the final two points of the quarter for a 45-43 half time advantage. It all went horribly wrong for Rockets at the start of the third quarter as Teesside scored 13 unanswered points in the first three minutes. Richard Wellings stopped the rot for Rockets with a big three but Teesside replied with two three pointers to further demoralise the Rockets players. Smith and Madsen fought for all they were worth but Rockets could not reduce the gap beyond ten points.  Nevertheless they continued to apply pressure but were having difficulty in breaking down the Teesside zone defence. The visitors were already celebrating at the end of the third quarter at 77-61 ahead. Rockets gave everything in the final quarter winning it 28-23 but it wasn't enough to take them to Birmingham. But it was an honourable defeat as they fought right to the end.

 

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