Titans scorched by Dragons fire

BASKETBALL:

OLDHAM Titans held a healthy a 40-28 lead midway through the England Basketball League North region match against Bradford Dragons IIs.

But the West Yorkshire outfit hit back to win 71-60 after staging a second-half recovery.

Titans worked hard on a number of offensive plays in the build-up to the Division Four Roses clash, and the effort put in paid off as they opened up a three-point advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Mark Hamilton’s men were even stronger in the second quarter, stretching the lead to 12 points.

However, it all went wrong in the third quarter as Titans scored three points to Bradford’s 25.

Titans regrouped in the last quarter and pushed back their opponents, but were unable to bridge the gap.




Pride before a fall for under-18s



OLDHAM Titans under-18s found themselves trailing 5-0 after five minutes against Preston Pride, before eventually succumbing 69-51 in the England Basketball League North-West region clash.



Hoping to build on an opening-day success against Manchester Rebels, they ended the first quarter 10-8 down at the Oldham Ball Hall.

It was nip and tuck in the second quarter before a three-point basket saw Preston lead 26-22.

The sides traded baskets in the third, until a flurry of points late on put Titans 42-38 ahead.

Preston emerged with all guns blazing in the fourth and, with Titans getting into foul trouble — they conceded six sets of free-throws — victory went to the visitors.