Kendal Warriors 45 Myerscough Giants 114

KENDAL Warriors suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as a depleted squad were mauled by second-placed Myerscough Giants at Dallam School on Saturday evening.

Tom Withnell was back for Kendal despite nursing a damaged ankle sustained against Sefton, however Nathan Williams was still unable to take to the court as he looks to recover from his long standing injury.

The Giants are in effect Manchester Giants 2nd team and combine some of the countries brightest talent mixed with experienced players from the region.

The visitors never really looked threatened by the Warriors even after Mathias Basedow scored two baskets and Gareth France hit a three pointer to give the hosts an early lead.

Myerscough showed their class and responded with two three pointers of their own which opened up their lead and gave them a 7- 20 advantage at the end of the first.

Kendal's lethargic and apprehensive play continued into the second quarter as time and again the Warriors presented the ball to their opponents allowing them to break out for easy scores.

The Warriors only mustered up seven points in the quarter as the Giants extended their lead to 14-53.

The home side started the third quarter with a point to prove as Marc Crockford hit from range and Kevin Mason continued to fight for the ball around the basket.

Myerscough weathered the short lived Kendal storm and began punishing any mistakes shown by the Warriors to further expand their lead.

As a result the Warriors started to become further disheartened allowing the Giants to go on a 24 point unanswered streak until a solitary basket from Basedow stopped the rot to leave the hosts staring at a 23 - 89 scoreline at the end of the third.

Kendal restored some pride in the final quarter as France hit two three pointers either side of a Basedow basket early in the quarter.

The Warriors were also competing in others ways too as Phil Mason and Keith McInnes demonstrated greater hunger in retrieving rebounds.

Further baskets from France, Kevin Mason and Crockford saw sustained offence threat from the Warriors for the first time in the game as they hit 22 points in the quarter.

However the damage had long been done as the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

The Warriors host Leeds Tigers at Dallam School this Saturday with a 5pm tip.