In front of a large home crowd Tigers jumped to an early lead and would not relinquish it for the rest of the game. With only 7 players, the travelling Stealers were not able to keep pace with Taunton who were able to rotate players regularly.

With Stealers not allowing much inside with their collapsing defence, Tigers took advantage of the space outside, making 11 three-pointers in total. Veteran Joe Andrews led the team in scoring with 21 points including 5 three-pointers.

With two players out with injuries, the next generation of Tigers players, Harry Stacpoole and Casey Williams were drafted up from the Tigers Junior programme. The call-up proved justified as Stacpoole and Williams combined for 22 points, including 4 three-pointers between them. Showing no signs of tiredness from their under 18’s fixture earlier in the day, both players displayed excellent poise and effort on both ends of the court.

The one bright spot for Stealers was player/coach A. Hayle who led all scorers with 31 and shot well from all over the floor, frustrating the Tigers defence. Hayle received little help from his teammates however and at half time Taunton had built an 11-point lead.

Tigers got off to another good start in the second half with Mark Schroeder scoring 6 points in quick succession from fast breaks and layups. By the end of the third quarter the lead had increased to 68 – 44. In the fourth quarter the pace of the game slowed down and with their large lead Taunton were able to see the game out comfortably.

The victory puts Tigers’ record at 8 wins and 1 loss, with Bristol Flyers II, who did not play at the weekend, close behind with 7 wins and 1 loss. The two teams are yet to play each other in league competition but have already faced off twice, with Flyers knocking Tigers out of the National Cup and Tigers reciprocating by knocking Flyers out of the National Shield. Both league fixtures are scheduled for the end of January and will prove pivotal in the final outcome of Division 4 South West.

In the only other result this weekend Surrey Rams lost at home to Oxford City Hoops 62 – 81. Taunton Tigers next match will be away to Oxford City Hoops on January 7th and their next home fixture is scheduled for Saturday 13th January against fifth place RCT Gladiators at Richard Huish College, tip-off 18:00.