Blackhawks 2nds shown no mercy by Haigh and Gill

Blackhawks, who travelled up from Woking, were without one of their best players, Joy Haizelden, who was training with the GB squad.

However, even if she had been available, it is hard to see how the Bears could have been stopped as they dished out a lesson in disciplined defensive play and sharp finishing.

They led 24-4 at the first break, increased their lead to 48-4 at half -time and added a further 44 points in the second half.

Blackhawks did have the opportunity to make the scoreline more respectable but they could not find the basket when it mattered.

Bears coach Tom Masterson said: “It was a strange game because I knew we should win but I told the team to show respect to the other team and treat them no differently than if they were top of the league.

“I was pleased that everyone got court time and also got on the scoresheet.”

Ben Haigh and Dan Gill took the lion’s share of the points with 41 and 40, respectively.

In contrast, Bears’ second string were involved in a thriller Third Division Central clash at home to Plymouth Storm.

With 30 seconds of the match remaining, the scores were level when Bears’ Dan Gill was fouled and put on the line with two penalty shots.

He missed both but collected his own rebound and scored to put Bears two ahead.

Storm, however, raced to the other end and netted to level at 43-43.

This took the match into extra-time and when Gill was sent off after picking up his fifth foul, Storm took advantage to pull away for a 54-44 success.

“I was so disappointed for the team. With the effort they all put in they deserved to win,” said Masterson.