Rundles swaggers past Sharks

A two legged Play Off semi final with Glasgow stands between Riders and a shot at the 2012 BBL Play Off winners trophy.

A shot at giving everyone on this team and everyone connected with the club a piece of silverware to show for the tremendous efforts put in on and off the floor. The challenge of Sheffield was swept aside with considerable ease as a one sided Quarter Final match up saw Riders overpower their hosts at the EIS with the lead hitting the 30pt marker entering the final quarter on the back of some hard nosed defense and sweet shooting from all distances.

Sharks dangerous back court of Jimmy Langhurst, Ryan Patton and ex Rider and GB star Nate Reinking were not given an open look from deep for the majority of the game and with their three point threat nullified, they had to look inside to Olu Babalola and Mike Tuck but they came up against a resolute Riders frontline with Drew Sullivan, Ayron Hardy and the excellent Tom Sherlock who combined to keep the back door closed and made it a very long night for the perennial BBL powerhouses. While the frontcourt kept things tight, the back court ran amok with the feisty Cam Rundles [pic above] hitting from all areas of South Yorkshire on his way to 26pts, he was backed up by his partner in crime Bradd Wierzbicki with 19 and Drew Sullivan had 12. Mr Hardy was one assist away from another triple double with 10, 10 and 9, another astonishing stat in an astonishing rookie season. Barry Lamble was an effective foil off the bench with a handy 11pts in an effective display.

Yorick Williams also managed to drain a couple trademark long bombs in his way to 8pts to delight the vociferous travelling support and when the returning Brett Royster nailed a three point play late on in the third, a blowout was on the cards. Credit though went to the Sharks as they took advantage of a Riders team who maybe subconciously lifted their foot off the gas for a moment and Reinking managed to hit 11 fourth qtr points to trim the deficit to 76-92, still a mountain to climb but not as steep as it maybe could have been.

The scene was set then for the home leg over at Loughborough University and what a tremendous event it proved to be! A packed and noisy crowd poured into the venue and it was bursting at the seams as 150 people had to be turned away as Play Off fever hit the East Midlands......

The expected backlash from Sheffield never materialised as they were put under the pump from the off with Rundles continuing his fine form with some deadly shooting to end the first qtr with 11pts and with Sherlock, Lamble and Hardy adding to the mayhem, the game and therefore the tie were never in doubt. A huge Lamble putback dunk got the place jumping and when Hardy was left alone outside to hit a big triple, the Sharks knew they could arrange the flights home and get the beachwear ready for wearing....

The 47-30 halftime score reflected the superiority of the rampant home side and the 50-70 three quarter score signalled the fat lady clearing her throat.

Rundles led the way again with 29pts, Hardy was again highlighted across the stat sheet with 16pts, 9 rebs, 8 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks [!], Bradd had 13pts and Drew Sullivan added 12 and 5 rebs. Yorick had 6pts while Messrs Lamble and Sherlock both excelled again, Barry adding 9 rebounds to his 5pts with Tom grabbing 5 boards to go with his 5pts. Jamell and Brett had 2pts apiece to close out the scorers.

The capacity crowd roared home the Riders to a superb 182-141 aggregate success which now leads to a two legged momentous series with Glasgow.....

Lets do it all again this weekend!!!