Mole Valley Phoenix VS Richmond College
National League Match

final Score: MVP (79) - Richmond College(82)

This was the game the whole Mole Valley Phoenix community was waiting for. The players and coaches have been training hard for months to make sure the team we fielded was the strongest possible and that the players were ready. This would be the clubs first ever appearance in National League competition. There was huge support from the crowd and we even had dancers to entertain at half time!

The first quarter started intensely as we put Richmond into foul trouble in the first couple of minutes. A huge block on the fast break by Jeffrey helped the crowd into the game. Strong drives to the basket by Jeffrey and Kevin early on got us to the line. But it was the failure to convert free throws which kept Richmond close. We finished this quarter 1 point up.

The second quarter was a similar story to the first; we draw many fouls but couldn’t convert from the stripe. Strong play from Jake inside making a couple of easy buckets and a fade away jump shot kept Phoenix in the game. Most of Richmond’s points came from fast breaks as Phoenix weren’t able to track back quick enough, but Phoenix scored some fast break opportunities and two field goal floaters from Deano helped us go in at the half down by only 3 points.

The third saw Richmond keep a lead of 5 points consistently throughout this quarter. Phoenix was without key rebounder Jake as he was on four fouls. But, 6’2 power house TJ stepped up in the third and dominated the boards, he also got to the line and made a couple of and 1 plays. TJ’s presence inside makes defenders think twice about driving in.

The start of the last quarter went mainly Richmond’s way as they started pulling away and led by 9 points at one stage. But Phoenix were never going to give up as we started to pull a run of our own together and with four minutes to go we led by one point. Veteran players Jeffrey, Karl and Kevin stepped up when it mattered. Kevin shot a big 3 pointer and put back an offensive board. Jeffrey controlled the offence and got a huge and 1 play. Karl drove through the defence and finished most of his plays, one of which was a step back jump shot to level the game. Then a big put back to take the lead. Phoenix fouled with 20 seconds to go and sent their key player to the line with them leading by 1. He sank both shots and they lead by 3. The last shot was left to Karl to shoot the 3 pointer to level it up, but unfortunately fell short.

A great effort by the whole team made this an exciting game. We would like to thank everyone who came to support the team on Sunday and also thank the dancers for putting on a great half time show. A special thanks to the Mole Valley Phoenix club community who organised the game.

Phoenix Squad: Jeffrey, Justin, Kevin, Karl, Jake, TJ, Will, George N, Hugh, Matt, Ariff, Deano (D.N.P: Arnel, Chip, George B)

Phoenix Top Scorers: Karl 20, Jeffrey 14, Jake 9, TJ 9, Dean 6, Kevin 5, Justin 5