Team Derby finished top of NBL Division 4 Midlands and were seeded 3rd, giving them the home court advantage against the 6th seeded Tigers.

The home side enjoyed a tremendous start to the match, making a high percentage of their shots and limiting Taunton’s opportunities with good defence and rebounding. M. Nelson who made 3 three-pointers in the period led them on the offensive end. Tigers quickly found themselves down 14 – 6 and by the end of the first quarter Derby had increased their lead to 32 – 14.

Tigers were able to make a couple of runs in the second quarter but each time Derby answered with runs of their own. Good shooting from L. Siczek, D. Watts and W. Portlock for Derby throughout the game made it difficult for Tigers to reduce the lead. The first half finished Team Derby 54 – 29.

Following the half-time break Tigers came out with renewed energy and had their best spell of the match. Early in the third their outside shots started to drop with three-pointers from Igors Kuznecovs and Jack Roberts. Defensively they stepped up their effort, stopping Derby scoring for the first four minutes and finally making positive in roads into the deficit.

Halfway through the third the Derby lead was reduced to 11 and it looked as though Tigers would carry that momentum forward. But, Derby answered the challenge again, executing well at both ends of the floor. Taunton were held scoreless for the rest of the quarter, with shot after shot failing to drop.

The third quarter ended 15 – 15 but the progress Tigers made early on was wiped out by Team Derby and they once again found themselves facing a 20+ point hole to climb out of, heading into the final period.

Tigers were unable to find a consistent rhythm on offence and whilst chasing the game in the final quarter they ran out of steam. Team Derby continued to play clinical Basketball with good spacing and ball movement.

Though they competed hard till the end, Tigers were unable to make further in-roads against a well drilled and disciplined Derby side who emerged deserved victors, 89 – 54.

Tigers’ coach Richard Anderson remained positive following the match,

Team Derby were the better team today. They only missed two shots in the first quarter and moved the ball very well. We dealt perfectly against Derby’s full court defence suffering zero turnovers from it, whilst securing a few steals from our own full court pressure. The players gave it everything they could and we have no regrets from the loss. We have had a successful year and made big improvements over the course of the season. We should be able to move on from this and become a stronger team for next season.

L. Siczek led all scorers with 20 points for Team Derby, with W. Portlock scoring 19 and D. Watts 15. Jack Roberts top-scored for Tigers with 16 points, whilst Igors Kuznecovs and Paul Yabsley both finished with 11.