Lakers move into second spot with win on the road to Vikings

KILLARNEY Scotts Lakers have moved into joint second place on the league table following an important win on the road against Waterford Vikings last Saturday night. With Fr Mathews slipping up against Limerick Celtics on the same day, it means that Lakers and Mathews now share joint second place with 11 wins and four losses each.

Waterford started well with Ryan Pepper, Michael Grassey and Jay Kavanagh impressing. Toby Christensen got Scotts Lakers off the mark while Xavier Talton and Mick McGinn were also on target.

Despite three-pointers from Aaron Jackson and Seamus Brosnan, Scotts Lakers trailed 23-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The Killarney side improved in the second quarter with Carlton Cuff, Aaron Jackson, Mick McGinn and Brian O’Neill all hitting big baskets. Michael Grassey was dominant for the home side but Toby Christensen was equally impressive for the Lakers and the visitors just edged ahead by a single point, 44-45, at the interval break.

Scotts Lakers took control of this game in the third quarter restricting the Vikings to just 15 points. Lakers gained the advantage with three three-pointers from Brian O’Neill, another from Aaron Jackson, along with baskets from Mick McGinn, Seamus Brosnan and Toby Christensen. The Killarney side enjoyed a 15-point lead, 59 -74, as the game entered the final quarter.

Vikings fought back in the final quarter through Michael Grassey and Daniel Sheehan but Lakers maintained their advantage to prevent any upset. Toby Christensen, Aaron Jackson and Seamus Brosnan all added baskets while Brian O’Neill sank his fifth three-pointer of the night. Young Jamie O’Sullivan finished the night’s scoring with two freethrows to secure a 13 point win for Scotts Lakers.

The next few weeks will be interesting for the Lakers as the battle intensifies for top table place and the prospect of promotion. There are no league games this weekend and Scotts Lakers next outing is away to Tolka Rovers on Saturday February 1 followed by a home game against Portlaoise Panthers in Killarney on Sunday February 2. Lakers are also home on February 8 against Ulster Elks.

They then face a difficult double header weekend away in Donegal and Sligo on February 15/16 before the big clash with Fr Mathews in Killarney on February 22.

If both sides keep winning over the next few weeks and remain in joint second place, this clash will have added significance.

Top Scorers

SCOTT’S LAKERS: Toby Christensen 25, Aaron Jackson 19, Brian O’Neill 17 WATERFORD VIKINGS: Michael Grassey 34, Craig O’Neill 13, Daniel Sheehan 14