After two wins to open their Founders Cup campaign, Erkenwald came down to earth in emphatic fashion in St Albans against the 2002 champions Columbans. Erks paid the price for a disasterous opening quarter in which their shots refused to fall, coach Declan McCusker becoming increasingly animated as his side forced more and more bad shots and turned the ball over repeatedly.

Columbans took full advantage of Erks' sloppy play, holding the Erks scoreless for the final 5 minutes of the 1st period and the first 5 of the 2nd as they opened up an unassailable 29-4 lead! Columbans guard Patterson was proving unstoppable in the opening period, comfortably outscoring the Erks single-handedly with 19 first half points on his way to a game high 26.

With only pride left to play for in the 2nd half barring an unlikely Columbans melt-down, the Erks responded positively to coach McCusker's half-time demand that they stop lofting up hopeful long range shots and attack the basket. Immediately Erks were much improved, Julian Morvan getting a couple of wide open looks after John Kimani and Chris Olufeso looked to drive at the hoop. Kimani also hit a couple of shots and with forward Richard Williams making his presence felt with a couple of offensive rebounds and put backs, the Columbans lead was down below 20. Although this margin proved too much to overhaul in a low scoring encounter, Sean Hutchinson picked up a couple of late baskets driving strongly to the hoop, to ensure that the Erks won the final quarter as well. McCusker took some consolation from his team's rally, the Erks restricting Columbans to only 21 points in the 2nd half, the final margin of defeat being 19 points.

With the classy Columbans likely to win the Eastern group, Erks now need one victory from their remaining two games to guarantee a top three spot and a place in the last sixteen knock-out stages. Both remaining games are at Sydney Russell School in Dagenham, the next clash being against Buckinghamshire side Brunel on Sunday 25th January, tip-off 3pm, before the final pool game against 2003 runners-up Cambridge in February.

Erks Scorers:
Kimani 9, Overare 8, Hutchinson 6, Morvan 6, McCusker 5, Williams 4, Olufeso 3, Herd 2.

Report posted: 05/01/04