Esat Telecom Demons maintain their position at the top of the ESB Superleague after another successful weekend, but there are now three teams with the minimum of difference between them set to challenge - two of which have a game in hand.
The Demons had little trouble dismissing the Waterford Crystal challenge on Saturday, ending with a comfortable 21-point margin on a score of 74 to 53. It leaves them on five wins from six games although victories for Neptune, Denny Notre Dame and Kerry Spring Killarney has ensured it will be a closely fought affair in the weeks to come.
There was nothing very convincing about the victory for Kerry Spring Killarney, however, as they survived the late fight-back from St Vincent's to win on a score of 73 to 72. The hosts were leading by 28 points with 15 minutes remaining, helped for the most part by Vince Daly who outscored the Vincent's team in the first half with a personal tally of 21 points.
Aidan Nulty and Gerry Noone inspired the Vincent's comeback while Brian Tonkovich and Stephen McGuirk continued to build on their scoring total with 14 unanswered points. Suddenly the sides were level on 69 apiece with just over a minute remaining. Despite Nultey's free giving Vincent's a brief lead, it was Shane Horgan who saved Killarney in a heart-stopping finish that required a late free-throw with six seconds left to restore their winning lead.
Notre Dame also made it difficult for themselves by allowing Burger King Limerick back into the game in the final few minutes. They had built a comfortable lead by the end of the third quarter but Limerick's new American signing Kereen Lewis played a major role in keeping their hopes alive. Level with a single second remaining, Anthony Jenkins was fouled on the shot and then scored both frees for the spectacular victory.
Neptune easily defeated Sligo Dairies on Saturday. The Cork side were coasting from the start and though Sligo came within five points at one stage, the result was never in doubt.
Title holders Star of the Sea also got back to winning ways yesterday with the thrashing of Tolka Rovers. A low key game throughout, the only redemption was the superb shooting of Star's Tim Kennedy who ended up with 30 in total.
One of the more physical games of the weekend saw the Clare Jets battle with Dungannon, eventually winning 90 to 86. Michael Ayanbadejo levelled the game for the Jets right on the final buzzer and extra-time was very close before the Jets added the necessary points from Lester Hunt to win by four. The Jets had already picked up another two points from their win over Hibernian UCD Marion on Saturday.
Killester, however, were unable to claim the maximum from their double-header weekend. After defeating Sligo Dairies on Friday night, they fell to Dungannon on a score of 91 to 83 on Saturday.
In the women's Superleague, Tolka Rovers also secured the top spot for another weekend at least. Yesterday they defeated a brave Crusaders 64 to 52, but it could have been different if Crusaders had not allowed themselves to fall behind by 23 points in the first half. They won the third quarter 18 to 13 but just didn't have the strength to get any closer at the end.
There was also another convincing win for Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats when they destroyed Meteors on a score of 75 to 42. The holders are now one place behind Rovers and are likely to challenge for the top soon.
