Ricky to the rescue as Hawks stun University
THE last 100% record in Division One went as yet another week of surprises brought shock victories for both Aylesford Hawks and Coventry College.
After having failed in their previous two attempts to get on the board, Aylesford Hawks stunned previously unbeaten Warwick University with a 78-76 win on campus as they welcomed back Ricky Fennell to their ranks.
Warwick led after the first period, but hit foul trouble as Hawks pressed, and a spate of free-throws saw the visitors ease ahead before University came good again to close the first half with a four point lead at 40-36.
They still looked good for the match points as they kept Hawks grounded, despite Fennell landing ten on the bounce, and with the crucial last period looming the students were 62-50 up.
But in the dying seconds, it was all Hawks and they made it 62-59 before going ahead again in the final quarter.
Warwick raised their game once more as shots rained in on both baskets and the tension mounted with the buzzer looming.
Then Fennell struck again to take Hawks into a 76-74 the lead from 74-70 down.
University replied with two points of their own but Fennell was fouled right at the end and sank the freeshots with aplomb to bring a sigh of relief to the Aylesford squad as they managed that first elusive win.
There was joy on the faces of the talented Coventry College side too as they defied the odds to break the heart of Trevor Robinson the playercoach of Tile Hill Trojans.
His makeshift side, minus National League players, had given their all to fend off the College offensive play, and had victory within their grasp several times. But back came their hosts and it was the home side who edged in front towards the end.
Richard Onions had his best game of the season for Trojans, notching up 28 points, but he missed with three of his four free-shots in the final period and College cashed in with a crucial score at the death to win 73-72.
Cracovia Stratford are the only side in Division Two who have not lost as yet, but they were pushed hard by the new-look Trojans 2 side who came close on more than one occasion before capitulating 71-59.
Warwick China Red were torn apart by a rampant Warwick Grizzlies who raced into a 24-5 lead before half-time.
With their foot firmly to the floor the Grizzlies were up 44-20 at the start of the first quarter but, as Grizzles began to coast, China Red grabbed a few more points to finish on the wrong end of a 31-52 score.
Things go from bad to worse for Ernesford Eagles as they were some players short as they played host to Tornadoes.
Being 17-0 down after seven minutes did not help their cause, and, after a brief rally towards the end of the first half they let in a further 15-0 to start the third period, and, that was that. Twenty six from Michael Stokes saw Tornadoes storm to a 72-43 win which took them to the top of the table.