Rocks victory adds more woe for Walsh’s men

Glasgow Rocks shook off a three game losing skid to effortlessly dispatch the winless Mersey Tigers by a comfortable score line of 109-72.

Starting Fives:

Glasgow Rocks: Harrison, Robinson, Murray, Davis, Ringgold

Mersey Tigers: McGinn, Calvo, Hulsen, Lockett, Pilkington

Rocks player/coach Sterling Davis was awarded the November BBL Coach of the Month Award prior to the game after a blistering run of form saw the team reel off five wins in a row through the month. December had not been so kind to the team, losing all three games to date including two to near-table rivals; the Sharks and Phoenix.

The Tigers, meanwhile, were winless in 13 BBL Championship fixtures and performances of late varied from poor to abysmal.

This was my first sighting of the Tigers this season, and despite their results they’ve been lauded for their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. Neither of those was on display at this game, and while they didn’t necessarily roll over the Rocks never really had to get out of first gear to comfortably rack up a tonne.

The story of this game follows that of so many others for the Tigers this season; opposition team jumps out to a decent lead, takes their foot off the gas, runs their bench, and leaves with a win. Only the hot shooting of Gael Hulsen and a long range shot-clock buzzer beater from Josh McGinn in the second quarter kept the score even remotely respectable through the first half, as the Rocks ran up a 54-35 half-time lead thanks to some effective transition play.

The second half started off with more of the same, with the Tigers unable to keep up with the Rocks. A few highlight plays from Donald Robinson kept the crowd entertained as the Rocks took their foot off the gas and allowed the Tigers a few easy buckets inside.

The Rocks ran their bench in the fourth, with Dale Grieve making his first appearance for the team and GB Under-20 Jonny Bunyan seeing his first significant action of the season. The result was that all 10 Rocks got on the score-sheet, with 7 in double-figures.

Ignoring the ongoing debate of the Tigers’ situation, make no mistake that this was a much-needed win for the Rocks.

Play of the game:

Game MVP: Gareth Murray

Next up:

Glasgow Rocks away at London Lions, 21st December, 7:30pm

Mersey Tigers at home to Plymouth Raiders, 21st December, 7:30pm

(Report from Duane Roft in place of Callum Carson overseeing the game in Glasgow)