Cheshire pull together to hold off Tigers

Cheshire escaped with a six point victory over local rivals Mersey Tigers, 79-73, in their first game since the BBL this week took control of the franchise.

After yet another turbulent week for the team formerly known as Cheshire Jets, the worry was news had not spread quick enough that franchise were still going to take to the court in the derby match up.

That soon eased as a strong turnout started to fill the bleachers at the Northgate Arena, and ‘normal’ service resumed, minus court side hoardings and a logo.

Starting fives
Cheshire: Moore, Myers, Haskins, Marks, Bland
Mersey Tigers: Etilopy, Bigley, Hulsen, Calvo, McGinn

Cheshire began the first two quarters in almost total control.

Late points from player-coach Chez Marks and Phil Brandreth helped to extend a nine-point lead after the first ten minutes, 24-15.

However, it was much tighter affair in the second quarter. Both sides had extremely tough defence, but it was Mersey who were struggling to make their offensive rebounds count. Despite this, the lead Cheshire had could only stretch to another point, going in at half-time, 38-28.
Coming out after the break, Mersey were able to show the improvements that they had made over the past few weeks, helped by the inclusion of new recruit, Martin Calvo.

The third quarter saw Cheshire seemingly pull away with a 14 point gap, but it only gave Mersey reason to dig deep, and starting off the charge was Chris Bigley’s bucket, followed by vital threes from Calvo and Josh McGinn. Two missed free throws from Myers, and Calvo turned the screw with a three point play. Cheshire regrouped themselves to hold on to the lead by six, 60-54, with the last period to come.

Considering the events of the week past, the final stanza was probably the most tense of the season so far at home for Cheshire.

Although Mersey found themselves in foul trouble, whatever the home side put down, the Tigers hit back with, and following points from Bigley then one from McGinn outside the arc, it was a one point game. However, when McGinn missed a three in the closing seconds, which would have put all the pressure on Marks’ men to haul back the lead, Cheshire were able to draw the fouls to eventually see out the game, 79-73.

Assistant coach for Cheshire, Matt Lloyd, said: “At the end of a tough week, it was a mixed performance; it was down to a game of two halves really. We have to make sure we do four quarters next time out.”

The visitors, who still look for that win, vastly improved, and with off court problems, Lloyd did think it picked them up, but is wary of their progress: “Mersey were definitely out for the win, they are improving. Talks of them bringing in more player to have an impact on the league.”

Mike Burton, who was previously involved before with the Chester/Cheshire franchise up until 2007, was involved in a coaching role, further signs of everyone in the area pulling together, and something Lloyd thinks couldn’t be turned down: “Mike is unbelievable. For him to come along and offer his services; it would be a stupid mistake to say ‘No’ to somebody with his calibre.”

Most importantly though could have been the support to get the side over the finish line, Lloyd said of them: “The fans were amazing, throughout the whole game making a lot of noise at the end. There’s nothing better for those guys to hear them chanting, for us to continue providing professional basketball for everybody in this area as well as to provide a role model to them. I followed the Cheshire team when I was younger, which inspired me to carry on with basketball, and that’s what we need and what this side will give the area.”

It is starting to come together for Tigers, and with their best result to date, against a side they last lost to by 24 points, it is a huge step in the right direction with Tony Walsh predominantly upbeat: “We seem to be in second gear to start with, and only late now that we get right up there. With Martin, it gives us more width, two more guys to come in, and it’s the team complete. I’m upset not to win, but made up with a lot of the play. There were great shows from Chris Bigley. Some say he’s just a local league player, but he’s just stepped up to show these guys he can play BBL; they are all coming together really well.”

Josh McGinn, Tigers guard with major Cheshire connections said: “To me, all week, that was a winnable game, regardless of what was going on for them [Cheshire]. We competed for four quarters, and last time I said I was happy to compete for three, now we have gone further. Strength, depth, foul trouble; all those things add up.”

Calvo stood out and it was not a surprise for McGinn: “I warned people that he is a quality player. He has great vision, made an instant impact, not only did he put up shots himself, but he helped with assists too, and it has an effect on everyone.”

Play of the game came from Tigers early in the last quarter, as cross court passes starting with great vision from McGinn ending with a huge jam by Rudy Etilopy.

With such a topsy-turvy game, to pick out a single player is harsh. Alif Bland for Cheshire made everything count for the home side, but Martin Calvo was instrumental for the most part for the opposition.

Alif Bland – 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks
Martin Calvo – 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Cheshire: Marks (24), Moore, (18) Bland (17)
Mersey Tigers: Bigley/Calvo (16), Hulsen (14), McGinn (11)

Next for Cheshire – Worcester away 10th November
Next for Mersey – Sheffield home 9th November