WSN Basketball: Comfortable win over Titans

Hull Wasps got the New Year off to a good start with a comfortable 79-60 victory at Oldham Titans on Saturday evening.

The Wasps got off to a flying start and stunned the home side in the opening quarter with a 27-9 run which effectively closed off the game.

That gave Wasps player-coach Matt Fawcett the opportunity to shuffle the pack for the rest of the game, managing to use all 10 players available. Wasps were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the gas during the rest of the game with very even quarters either side of the half-time break.

A late rally in the final quarter from the Titans only managed to close the gap by 5 points and Hull ran out comfortable winners.

Following the game, Fawcett said: “We played our game very well tonight. I must admit, I was surprised the energy levels I’ve seen from the players this week since coming back after the Christmas break, but it was great to see.

“We knew what we had to do here tonight and we did it very well. We’re a little guilty of slacking off after the first quarter but we know there’s a good few months to go until the end. We controlled the game very well and that’s what was important.

“We had a few big names missing for us tonight including Miles [Anderson] who had to pull out at the last minute with flu. But tonight’s performance shows that we have a good squad capable of performing when needed. That will be a key element to our success this season and we’ll now look forward to the double-header at home this weekend.”

Hull Wasps welcome league leaders Rossendale Raptors to the arena this coming Saturday, followed by Tees Valley Mohawks on the Sunday. It will be one of the toughest weekends of basketball for the Wasps as they take on a Rossendale Raptors side who, after recruiting former BBL professional Stephen Gayle, have secured top-spot in the league with seven straight wins.

The Tees Valley clash on Sunday will provide another stern test for the Wasps after they tasted defeat there earlier in the season.

John Kelsey, James Rayner, Jason Munro, Miles Anderson and Liam Lacey are all hoping to make a return this weekend but will report to training later this week before coach Fawcett can assess their fitness.