Kendal Warriors 83

Barrow Thorns 63

TOP of the league Barrow Thorns travelled to Kendal on Sunday night knowing that a win would go a long way to securing the league title, but a defeat would put Kendal back into contention.

A tense start to the game saw Kendal look a little apprehensive with the ball and a number of players were guilty of turning it over or missing shots.

Barrow started steadily and after hitting two three-pointers to open up a 10-point lead, Kendal called a time out to reorganise their tactics. This seemed to have the desired effect as the Barrow shooters began to struggle to find space to hit their shots.

Coupled with their dominance to rebound the ball and run the fast break primarily through Keith McInnes and Phil Mason, Kendal started to get back into the game. Matt Basedow was hitting mid-range jump shots with any missed shots being picked up time and again by McInnes, Kevin Mason and Mike Smith.

Barrow's defence focused its pressure on Gareth France, but this meant there were gaps which were being exploited superbly by the rest of the Kendal offence who now had the bit between their teeth. At the end of the half Kendal were back in the game trailing 34-33.

Kendal started the second half off with the same intensity typified by good work on defence.

The Warriors sensed blood - Kevin Mason was proving too fast for the Barrow team, hitting three unanswered baskets as Kendal stepped up to be counted.

There was no return for Barrow as Kendal continued to display excellent team basketball to win the fourth quarter by 27 points to 14.

The final result of 83-63 in favour of Kendal highlighted their dominance, particularly in the second half, and the result reignites the Warriors league title push.

Scorers: K Mason 18, M Basedow 17, P Mason 16, M Smith 13, K McInnes 10, G France 9, K Arfanis 0, G Beacock 0