Liverpool 88 - 89 Kendal

KENDAL Warriors captain Gareth France praised his team's work ethic after picking up only their second win of the season.

The Warriors pulled clear of bottom club Liverpool II in the dying moments of the game and showed composure to hold on for a crucial win.

"It was an important game for us to win," said France. "The team played with a lot of heart and dug deep even when the result looked unlikely.

"We could have played better at times but getting the win was the important thing and seeing the game out as we did demonstrated some real nerve."

Following two recent heavy defeats Kendal travelled to Liverpool without the unavailable Mathias Basedow but welcomed the return of Kevin Mason who was back following a four week absence through injury.

The game started cautiously with both teams taking their time to settle but as the quarter progressed it was Liverpool who tried to grab hold of the match as Fitzpatrick hit three three point shots to establish a lead for the hosts.

Kendal however responded through two of their most experienced players as Gareth France and Marc Crockford combined to score 23 of the Warriors' 25 points in the quarter as the pair mixed long range shooting with aggressive drives to the basket. At the end of the quarter Kendal led 19- 25.

France and Crockford combined again early in the second quarter for a further 10 points. Mason and Keith McInnes, usually a defensive specialist, also started to add to the scoreline as they also hit a combined eight points in the quarter.

The home team, who are winless, hit back by applying a full court press defence which Kendal dealt with well initially.

However indecision around the basket at times saw the visitors waste a series of easy opportunities which Liverpool took full advantage of. These errors coupled with the solid shooting display of Graham allowed the hosts back into the lead at the end of the half as they led narrowly at 48-47.

Fired up from their team talk, Kendal began the third quarter solidly. Phil Mason got the Warriors up and running and Nathan Williams hit a tough jump shot from 15ft to bring the Warriors back into contention.

Again though unforced errors effected the visitors as Liverpool threatened to open up a lead but a basket from Tom Withnell and a converted three point shot whilst being fouled from Crockford brought Kendal back to within one point at the end of the third as the hosts still led 65- 64.

As the fourth quarter began Williams scored four straight points for the Warriors and Peter Howarth showed his developing potential as he linked with Williams for an important basket.

A change in defence limited the Liverpool outside scoring threat but even after France hit another three point shot the Warriors still trialled by six points with only four minutes to play.

Kendal had to dig deep as they stepped up the pressure on the Liverpool offence causing turnovers. Further points from Withnell, Crockford and France pulled the Warriors to within two point with a minute left to play and when Kevin Mason drove to basket drawing a foul for a three point play the Warriors gained the lead which they would not lose.

Phil Mason secured the visitors lead as he stole the ball and finished the break he had started to give Kendal some breathing space meaning Liverpool were left trying to foul the away team to stop the clock. Kendal composed themselves as McInnes, France, Crockford and K Mason scored foul shots down the stretch as the Warriors hung for an important win.

Scorers: G France 27, M Crockford 24, K Mason 12, P Mason 8, N Williams 8, K McInnes 5, T Withnell 3, P Howarth 2