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Erks moved to top spot in the Southern group with a 10 point victory over Richmond. A low scoring scrappy game saw the Erks prevail being the better of two teams failing to score consistently throughout.
Erks went out to a 8 - 0 lead behind a Steve Herd drive and two 3 pointers from Man of the Match "Shab Niaz". Although Erks had a considerable height advantage, the only big man to score in the paint in the first quarter was "Len Fairclough" (AKA Jonny Lee) with his trademark turnaround off the backboard spin move as Erks lead 15 - 7 at the end of the first.
As Garbage Time Dave felt the physical presence inside, he moved further and further out opening the second period with a 3 pointer. Martin Overare and Mark Denchfield added further points from the free throw line as the hosts continued to rack up the fouls. Erks went into half time leading 29 - 18.
A mini comeback in the third quarter by the hosts saw the lead cut to 4. This was as a result of the Erks getting involved in an up and down, scrappy affair as opposed to the home side's improvement. A time out by Declan McCusker saw some substitutions and a demand for more composure and Erks went into the third quarter leading by 8.
The home side increased their defensive pressure at the start of the fourth quarter. Fun Ed's old Pompey mate, Nick "Son of a bxxxh" Dewy
fouled Garbage 8 times in 10 seconds before the referee blow his whistle leading to the home side remonstrating and Nick being ejected. To add to the bizarre nature of the situation, Steve Herd decided to fire up an off the dribble, baseline jump shot from behind the basket with his next shot and then further scrappy basketball continued for the next 5 minutes.
Erks eventually took the ball under some control and ran out winners in a the most dreadful game witnessed since Erks played Stoke in the NBL 3 years ago where the score was 16 - 16 at half time.
Erks scorers:
Mark Denchfield 5; Martin Overare 6; Gary Glennard; Steve Herd 5; John Powell 4; Fun Ed Bailey (coming off a strong game against Spitfires) 1; Shab Niaz 20; Garbage Time Dave 11; Jonny "Len Fairclough" Lee 2
With only one team of four progressing from the group, Erks are in pole position with a 3 and 0 record. With home games against Richmond and Met Police and an away game to Lambeth to come in the new year, Erks have their destiny in their own hands at the half way stage.
Report posted: 17/11/04
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