Titans slay Dragons to reach top

BASKETBALL: OLDHAM Titans under-16s reached the summit of the England Basketball League’s North-West Conference after an 84-43 victory at Bradford Dragons.

But the teenagers had to work hard for their win as Bradford, who are struggling in table, won the opening quarter 15-14. Titans regrouped in the second and were soon in the ascendancy thanks to David Walsh’s three-point basket.

The lead changed hands several times, before Titans forged ahead 32-25 at half-time. The third quarter was dominated by the visitors, who plundered 27 points to Bradford’s seven.

With a firm stranglehold on the game, a Sam Atkinson-inspired Titans put 34 points on the board as Bradford were guilty of a series of fouls.

Top scorers: James Goddard 23pts; Sam Atkinson 22pts; David Walsh 12pts.



THE club’s under-16s made it through to the third round of the Sureshot Cup, before eventually succumbing to Cheshire Juniors 84-68. Trailing 25-16 at the end of the first quarter, Titans narrowed the gap to seven in the embryonic stages of the second. But a clutch of fouls allowed Chester to widen the gap to 11 as they won the quarter 24-13.
Playing a slick passing game, Titans forced Chester into conceding a number of fouls. Taking advantage of several free throws, the difference after three quarters was 24 points (72-48).

Back in the game, Titans switched their defence from zone to man-to-man, and they went on to dominate a more-established Chester side, cutting the gap to 16 points.

Top scorers: Sam Atkinson 23pts, David Walsh 17pts, Kameron Shorrocks 11pts.