Kendal Warriors 70 - 76 Leeds Tigers
KENDAL Warriors lost narrowly to mid-table Leeds Tigers as the Yorkshire outfit edged to victory in the final quarter of a tight and tense affair at Dallam School on Saturday evening.
The Warriors have only won once all season and have been lacking confidence in recent games.
Nathan Williams' long term injury kept him on the sidelines but there was a welcome return for Peter Howarth.
Kendal were also boosted by a boisterous home crowd who despite seeing there team struggle this season have stuck by the Warriors - giving the home team a massive lift.
The Warriors began the game in a lively fashion as Gareth France and Phil Mason hit the points to give the hosts an early advantage.
Further points from Keith McInnes and Mathias Basedow moved Kendal into a 10- 2 lead as Leeds struggled to cope with the home side's solid defence allowing the Warriors to build a momentum and to take a lead 22-17 at the end of the quarter.
Kendal's defence was concentrating on stopping the Leeds perimeter threat which allowed the Warriors to gain possession of the ball and break against the Tigers.
Marc Crockford took advantage, scoring the quarters opening two baskets to extend the Warriors lead.
However Leeds responded themselves by scoring eight unanswered points to pull the visitors back to within one point of the hosts.
Kendal weren't to be phased and went on the offensive themselves with Basedow hitting five points including a three pointer to compose the Warriors play.
The Tigers stuck to the tails of Kendal and took the lead themselves until France and Phil Mason finished the quarter strongly by combining for ten unanswered points to help the Warriors lead 41- 34 at the half.
But then the game turned on its head.
Leeds started the quicker in the third quarter and re-took the lead. Six points in the quarter for Tom Withnell and a successfully converted pair of free throws from Howarth saw Kendal score 19 points in the quarter, however the outside scoring threat of Leeds proved to be a problem for the Warriors as Leeds entered the final period 61-60 in front.
The game became increasingly physical as Kendal became frustrated from what they perceived to be a lack of protection from the officials.
Mason kept the Warriors firing to keep Kendal within touching distance of Leeds but when the Tigers scored another three point shot followed immediately by a drive to basket - the points were sealed.
Kendal host the Lancashire Spinners on Saturday at Dallam School with a 3pm tip-off.
Scorers
G France 21 K Mason 15 P Mason 8 T Withnell 8 M Basedow 7 M Crockford 6 K McInnes 2 P Howarth 2
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