Lancashire Spinners 85 - 76 Kendal Warriors

KENDAL Warriers led for the majority of their opening Northern Division 4 fixture but fell behind in the final five minutes as the Lancashire Spinners ran out eventual victors.

Early shots from Gareth France, Mathias Basedow and Phil Mason gave the Spinners a lot to think about as the visitors raced off to 5 - 16 lead after only six minutes.

The home side responded by applying a full court press and clawed their way back into the game slightly - but through debutant Nathan Williams and some good footwork from Tom Withnell, Kendal extended their lead to as many as 17 in the second quarter.

However some unnecessary turn overs and some forced shots allowed Lancashire to hit 10 straight unanswered points, broken up only by a Kon Arfanis jump shot followed by four straight baskets for Kevin Mason.

This was to prove only a temporary reprieve as the Spinners followed this with a further eight unanswered points to finish the half 38 - 41 in favour of the Warriors.

Kendal started the third quarter in the same manner as they had started the game.

Time and again Kendal were able to cope with the defensive pressure and capitalise on this through baskets by France, Withnell, Phil Mason and Keith McInnes.

Kevin Mason had also come alive as he continued to drive to the basket causing the spinners defence no end of trouble.

At the end of the third Kendal led 66 - 61.

Into the fourth quarter and Kendal still led the way.

Kevin Mason helped maintain this lead as he continued to power his way to the basket.

However with five minutes remaining Kendal hit the self destruct as the Spinners ran in ten straight points.

Despite a valiant final few minutes of their own, Kendal were left to reflect on a loss of 85 - 76 in a game they had led all the way until the final few minutes.

Scorers: G France 23 K Mason 14 P Mason 10 M Basedow 9 T Withnell 8 K McInnes 6 N Williams 4 K Arfanis 2