Title holders Star of the Sea took another significant step in improving their chances of regaining the ESB Superleague championship with a comprehensive 93-85 victory over the Clare Jets at the Maysfield Centre in Belfast on Saturday.
John Leahy was top scorer with 29 points, but what has pleased the Star team most of all is that they are now part of a three-way tie in the runner-up spot on the league table. Neptune have taken over the lead after their win on Friday night, with Esat Telecom Demons and Kerry Spring Killarney sharing the two-point deficit in the challenge for the top along with Belfast side.
The big disappointment yesterday afternoon was the Kerry side who could have gone joint leaders had they beaten Clare in their home surroundings of Killarney. They managed to create an early 14-9 advantage thanks to the high scoring Robbie Turner but the Jets then fought back with a vengeance to take the lead 30-21 at the end of the first quarter.
Anthony Pieper and Michael Ayanbadjejo continued to keep the points rolling for the Jets, ensuring a 47-45 lead at the break, and from then on the Kerry side found it increasingly difficult to get back into the game. Pieper brought his total to a superb 33 points as the Jets won 83-74 and made up for the defeat the night before.
Tolka Rovers also set about moving up the league table, albeit from the very bottom, as they recorded a one-point victory over Waterford Crystal. In one of the most exciting games of the weekend, Randell Mounts had a major say in the Rovers victory, scoring 17 points.
Waterford appeared to have built up a winning lead as they headed into the third quarter 12 points up. Joey Hastrip combined very effectively with Mounts so that Rovers edged three points clear in the final quarter. It was basket for basket before Waterford pulled one point in front. But Michael Quill scored his last two free shots to give Rovers a 74-73 victory.
There was also a crucial two points for Hibernian UCD Marion as they produced one of the better performances so far this season to beat Sligo Dairies 106-83. It concluded a dismal weekend for Sligo as they were also comprehensively beaten 9073 by Dungannon on Saturday.
In the women's Superleague, both Tolka Rovers and Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats ensured their two-way challenge remains in place. Killester had no answer for Rovers as they ran out winners by 80-44, Rachel Walsh top-scorer on 17 points.
Rovers are now unbeaten in their six games but the Wildcats are staying right behind them with just the one loss. Yesterday the Wildcats sent out another warning to Rovers by making sure they returned from their visit to the Crusaders with another two points. The Crusaders started well to hold them to 11-13 at the end of the first quarter but the Wildcats soon had them chasing an unbeatable lead as they finished winners by 88-45.
