Jets lose derby game to Tigers
Cheshire Jets suffered their third straight defeat of the season to the hands of the newly assembled Mersey Tigers at the Northgate Arena, losing 78-83.
However the loss was snatched from the jaws of victory as the home side looked to have control over the most part of the game.
An extremely tight and nervous start by both sides put paid to the notion that it could have been a resounding win for Cheshire, with the Tigers edging the first quarter 16-22 with a late rally.
The derby soon came to life when after trading points Keith Page helped the Jets turn the score around in the second quarter with 11 points in a brilliant 15-2 run, which helped take a four point lead into half-time.
This momentum carried on into the third period as Cheshire began to pull away slightly from Mersey, reaching a double figure lead of 11 before ex-Jets favourite, Calvin Davis, hit a three pointer at the end of the quarter that would start the onslaught.
Tigers with the full court press, found their range and shooting boots, and Cheshire’s defence could not withstand the fight back. Whether it was a lack of focus, or complacency thinking the game had already been won, Mersey drew the fouls and hauled their way back to level terms.
John Lavery of Cheshire, along with his coaching staff were more than aware and signalled to the players on court not to pick up any more fouls – but in the same breath came a fifth foul for Matt Schneck, who still seems to have a few rusty elements to his game since the summer break, although was still Cheshire’s top scorer on the night.
Sensing their first win of the season, after such a negative couple of weeks surrounding the club, Mersey applied even more pressure to the Jets stretching their lead to five points with only seconds left on the clock.
Two late shots from the charity line by Adam Brown could not help Cheshire in regaining the lead, and ultimately it was another former Jet in the shape of Matt Otten who then put the game to rest also from the line 78-83.
Speaking after the game, Coach Lavery said: “Obviously those guys were new out on Friday and personally I think we came here expecting to win the game. There are a lot of things we did in the game poorly, but give Tigers their due; they wanted it more than we wanted it.
“No-one likes to lose; it’s as simple as that. I’m not here to lose, I don’t want to lose. The guys in the locker room know exactly what they need to do to put it right next time.”
When asked about the presence on court that his side, or seemingly lack of, he said: “I don’t think we had any leaders out there whatsoever tonight. They are a quiet bunch of guys, they have only just come together, but we need people to start stepping up and being chiefs not Indians.”
Not without praise however, he pointed out some strong performances, but it was not able to rub off, saying: “Keith came in off the bench and gave us a really good spark but unfortunately the other guys couldn’t match that. Personally I just think it was a bad day at the office and we will put that right.”
Being a null and void fixture, with Sheffield Shark’ victory on Friday over Mersey, it can be looked at as somewhat of a learning curve again for his new side ahead of next Sunday’s first BBL Championship clash at home to Leicester Riders, but Coach Lavery will be determined to kick start this year’s league campaign in a similar vain to last year.
Cheshire Jets: 16, 38, 59, 78
Mersey Tigers: 22, 34, 51, 83
Jets: Schneck (22), Brown (18), Page (13)
Tigers: Douse (19), Bailey (18), Hesson (16)
