After normal time ended 69-69, Bristol took advantage of some slow Cheshire play to win the match 74-81 at the Cheshire Oaks Arena.

There was a big turnout in the stands hoping to make it a tough evening for the travelling Flyers team.

The two sides came into the game as the lowest scorers in the competition this season. So going into the game, there wasn’t much hopes of a high scoring encounter. This was evident at the end of the first quarter, with the score being 19-16 in favour of the home side.

Phoenix’s number 88 Will Neighbour managed to keep his side in front with a big couple of threes.

Into the second quarter of the match, four quick fire baskets by Bristol narrowed the gap to 34-33 score line. Jamell Anderson managed to make the difference just one, scoring a fadeaway just on the halfway mark. 

The defensive display by the away side was appreciated by their coach Ben Thomas who spoke on his side’s out of possession play: “Defensively the team is doing well. There are plenty of things that we are doing right but there are too many mistakes on the glass. I think that they must of had seven rebounds in that opening half. But luckily for ourselves they aren’t producing anything from them. If we don’t do anything about this right now, it is going to end up hurting us.”

Neighbour started to play more advanced in the third quarter. Seen by many as an unusual decision based on his ability from the edge of the three zone. At the halfway point of the third frame, the Flyers way of combating this threat was to double mark the number 88. Larry Austin took advantage by moving into the additional space to take his chance.

Bristol had Thomas Bell to thank for keeping the game tighter than it could have been. Bell scored 18 points throughout the first three quarters. This helped the Flyers get the enter the final quarter with the score line at 54-51.

Bristol started the last frame of normal time with real urgency and attacking threat. From the off, Malcolm Delpeche couldn’t convert his hook shot. But it was Vincent King who broke the deadlock in the fourth.

Again, over a minute went by without any points scored before the home side’s guard Marcus Evans wriggled through the defence to provide a difficult lay-up.

The Cheshire side applied plenty of pressure defensively. Neighbour managed to intercept a loose pass, leading to an Austin burst for another lay-up. Heading into the final minutes, the Phoenix had a seven point lead to defend.

However, the away side fought their way back into the contest with some effective offensive rebounding. This caused Cheshire to give away too many silly fouls, giving the opposition an unnecessary lifeline.

With the scores level, the Flyers were penalised for a 24 second shot violation. But with only five seconds on the clock, the north west side couldn’t sneak a winner. With the scores at 69 each, it would have to be decided in overtime.

The many in attendance were treated to more end to end basketball but even they couldn’t inspire their team to victory. The Bristol side continued to take advantage of a tired and slowing Cheshire team.

The Phoenix only managed five points in the final five minutes compared to the Flyers 12 points to take the win home.

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