Lions’ roar puts Titans on back foot

OLDHAM Titans under-13s players and coaches line-up before their match against Everton Tigers.

BASKETBALL:

OLDHAM Titans gave themselves too much to do as they slipped to a 103-82 defeat at Middlesbrough Lions in North Region Division Four of the England Basketball League.

It was a game the visitors thought they were capable of winning, but a poor effort in the first quarter

dampened their optimism.

Titans seemed to struggle mentally to overcome the racket made by the opposition spectators as they trailed 28-14.

The players got their heads round the noise level in the second quarter which Middlesbrough won 27-21.

Titans had the better of the third quarter (26-22) and they fought every ball in the fourth after being spurred on by a series of surprise decisions against them.

Despite the result, Titans officials believe a first win of the season is not too far away. Top three point scorers: Connor Gent 22pts; Mubiru Robert 14pts; John Hunt 13pts.



TITANS under-16s made it three wins on the bounce in the North Region of the England Basketball League with a decisive 98-52 victory over Burnley.

The teenagers had a healthy eight-point lead after three minutes and never looked back, winning the first quarter 24-10.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern as Titans took a stranglehold on the game. Leading 70-39 after three quarters, the local side were set a target of 100 points, which they just failed to achieve.

Top three point scorers: Michael Dobson 22pts; David Walsh 20pts; James Goddard 14pts.



FEATURING a clutch of new players, Titans under-18s enjoyed a 90-47 win over East Manchester Rebels in their North-West section opener.

Titans made a rapid start, putting 17 points on the board in the first seven minutes and were 29-9 ahead after the opening quarter.

The local side backed off a little bit in the second quarter, but they were still 31 points to the good at half-time.

There was no let-up from Titans in the third (73-32), although the Rebels did hit back with several three-point baskets in the fourth.

Top three point scorers: James McCabe 27pts; Chad Timmins 13pts; James Harvey 10pts.