GALLANT TWOS FALL IN DYING MINUTES – THREES GO OUT AT NUNEATON & FIRSTS CALL OFF GAME!

January 30, 2023

Despite putting in a sterling performance Trojans 2 were knocked out of the Warwickshire Basketball Handicap Cup by runaway Division One leaders Arden Griffins who were made to fight before scraping a 108-101 victory at Hereward College.

the handicap of 50-0 looked to have provided the hosts with a generous helping as they extended their advantage early doors, before Griffins began to chip away at the mammoth task ahead of them, and at half-time they were still not within sight at 76-46.

Kenny Godwin was having his best game of the season for Trojans as he commanded all of their offenses, but he was out-gunned by Griffins’ Sam Workman who led the charge as the gap narrowed.

Still 21 up just prior to the end of the third quarter, Trojans were rocked as Luke Hatfield sank a brace of triples, and when Workman went to the hoop at the start of the final ten minutes, the home side were falling rapidly.

Griffins lost Hatfield as he collected four fouls in a minute, but the scores were now locked at 98-98 with the young Trojans blowing. their rivals showed their old-heads and stayed calm under intense pressure as the boot switched to the other foot with two minutes left and Griffins went ahead by one.

Audi Gudleikis was ejected for abuse of the officials and the home heads went down as Alan Wood downed his fifth three-pointer to open the gap and give Coach Jack Forrest some breathing space, after which they went into protection-mode and secured their place in the semi-final.

Workman was magnificent and took the honours with a massive 49 points as Godwin led for Trojans on 18.

Scorers: Trojans – Singh 3, Gudleikis 13, Ubavicius 0, Godwin 18, Gurung 6, Eales 2, Wu 2, Linnett 3, Dickson 4.

Griffins – Sanghara 15, Mirza 2, Workman 49, Hatfield 16, Roberts 9, Forrest 0, Wood 17.

Trojans Three were knocked out of the Shield after losing 79-73 to First Division opponents too, as Nuneaton Predators 1 overcame a 35-point deficit to clinch victory in the final quarter, with Coach Lloyd Taylor landing 24 points to counter the 18 from Trojans Matty Novelskas.

Trojans first team were forced to call of their quarter-final tie at Westwood after a player shortage left them with just four fit and available bodies for the game at the XCEL Centre.

Warwickshire Hawks National League training took priority for two, work beckoned another and with injury to Richard Onions, Dominik Gorgol abroad and with Trevor Robinson cup-tied after playing for TH3, the Club had no other option open to them.

“This is a major disappointment” said Club Secretary Mike Maddox, “for I know the guys at Westwood were looking forward to defending their 55 point handicap and our lads were also relishing the challenge. However, there is a possibility that the game may be re-scheduled for three weeks time, but this is still subject to confirmation by the League.”