Oldham hold on

Date published: 16 November 2011

BASKETBALL:

AFTER suffering back-to-back defeats, Oldham Titans under-18s returned to winning ways against Bury Blue Devils — just.

The teenagers claimed a nail-biting 45-43 victory in this England Basketball League’s North-West Conference clash. The opening quarter was nip-and-tuck, with Titans edging ahead (16-14) thanks to captain Chad Timmins’ late basket.

Blue Devils had nosed in front at half-time (27-23) and had gone nine points clear within six minutes of the restart, at which point coach Bob Lloyd called a time-out. The intervention worked as his side drew level at 37-37 with the final quarter remaining.

Titans opened up a six-point lead, only for Bury to post two successful free-throws which ensured a nervy finish.

Top scorers: Danny Halstead 14pts, Chad Timmins 9pts, James Harvey 5pts, Aiden Kelly 5pts.



OLDHAM Titans under-16s enjoyed an emphatic 93-57 win over Gateshead Tornados to reach round three of the England Basketball League’s Sureshot Cup competition.

They made a rapid start, with Aiden Kelly scoring a basket, followed by David Walsh’s successful free throw and a three-pointer from Kameron Shorrocks.

Gateshead did not open their account until the fifth minute, such was the visitors’ outstanding defence.

Leading 21-9 at the end of the first quarter, Titans were comfortably clear at 53-28 entering the second half of the game.

There was no let up in the third quarter, and they looked set to reach the 100-point mark. However, Gateshead were much-improved in the fourth, taking the quarter 19-16.

Titans will face Cheshire Juniors or Leeds Carnegie in the next round.

Top scorers: David Walsh 37pts, Sam Atkinson 17pts, Kameron Shorrocks 12pts.

The under-16s also swept aside Sefton Stars 89-42 in the England Basketball League’s North Conference.