Phoenix rise again after cup defeat
Two games in two days left the players of Coventry Phoenix on their knees, but after their cup defeat at Tile Hill, they rose to put in a top performance to beat Ernesford Eagles.
Facing the leaders of the top two divisions gave the Coventry University students a taste of what they might face if they go up to join the elite group, and they struggled in the semi-final of the Bob Castledine Memorial Handicap Cup at Tile Hill, where Trojans fielded the team which has taken them to their fourth title in six seasons, handing Phoenix a 102-69 beating, brushing off the 20-0 handicap.
Trojans, for who Ben Linnett was dropping in triples for fun in a 19-point haul, took the lead just before half-time, then struck a 19-0 run early in the third period to kill off any hopes Phoenix had of a recovery.
The academics did perform though the following night, when they headed to Grace Academy to meet Eagles – the Division Two leaders in a league fixture, and they went home happier on the back of a 76-58 victory to move up behind them in the table.
Eagles were without four of their starters, and, after a good start, they struggled to contain their opponents, falling from a 15-10 lead to trail 50-27. The damage done, Phoenix eased down, but were comfortable despite Ben Clarke leading an Eagles recovery.
It was a good week for Trojans. All three of their sides were in cup action and one of the highlights of the season so far was an 87-51 win in the Challenge Cup quarter-final for the veterans of Trojans 3 at warwick China Red. They had a 40-10 handicap start and cashed in to add a further six to the margin with Mike Buckley leading them home on 23.
Trojans 2 fought out an 81-81 draw in the same competition against Coventry Tornadoes 2 after both sides received 25 points to start, and this sets them up nicely for the return at Hereward. westwood Rhinos fell just short after conceding ten handicap points to Rebels, and found the going tough, leading on several occasions and hitting the final eight points in the match, but failing when it mattered to go down 52-50. The last of the quarter-finals saw GAC triumph at Henley with another close games going in favour of the Grace side 79-77.