By Justin Nelson
SEABL Men
Knox Raiders 22 44 63 86
Mt Gambier 15 39 59 79
Knox Raiders 20 46 73 101
AIS 22 33 53 73
SEABL Women
Knox Raiders 18 30 51 65
Frankston 18 31 45 56
THE Knox Ford Raiders are back on track to emulate the success of 2006 after claiming two vital wins on the weekend, both of which were even more significant given the absence of star players.
Missing forward Craig Simpson with a leg injury, the Raiders ventured to Mt Gambier on Friday night and overcame a vocal crowd and a tall opposition to register a gutsy 86-79 win.
Leading from the outset, Knox’s pressure defence restricted the Pioneers and allowed the visitors to find some rhythm in offence, particularly captain Glenn Siegle, who finished with a game-high 27 points.
Others to impress included C.J. Massingale (12 points) and Alex Prince (12 points), while John Bryant and Tom Burns both added 11 points each.
Backing up on Saturday night against the speed and youth from the Australian Institute of Sport, it appeared the Raiders may struggle when news filtered through that Bryant would also be joining Simpson on the sidelines with a niggling injury.
However, despite a distinct lack of height, the Raiders’ tenacity came to the fore and again it was a concerted effort in defence that turned the game Knox’s way.
Down by two points at quarter-time, the Raiders put the foot down in the second stanza and went on a stunning 26-11 run, effectively ending the game with arguably their best quarter of the season.
Full of confidence, the Raiders went on to win the second half 55-40 and pushed clear to win by 28 points, marking their best victory of the season.
Again, teamwork was the centrepiece of the win with Massingale (23 points), Burns (17 points) and Prince (13 points) leading the way.
The dual victories have lifted the Raiders back to second on the ladder ahead of a showdown with rival Kilsyth this Saturday night in the Battle for the Ashes.
Meanwhile, Knox’s women are also on the way up after scoring a hard-fought win against Frankston, 65-56.
Australian Opal, Hollie Grima, was back in form and dominated the contest, scoring 25 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, while Andrea McMahon helped herself to 16 points.
Next assignment for the Raiders is also a clash with Kilsyth, which will take place this Saturday night before the men’s game. Action starts at 6.15pm.
SEABL Men
Results: Albury Wodonga 113 d Bendigo 107; Geelong 123 d Hobart 96; Knox 86 d Mt Gambier 79; Geelong 118 d NW Tasmania 114; Southern Districts 119 d Canberra 83; Bendigo 109 d Ballarat 95; Frankston 108 d Kilsyth 84; Knox 101 d AIS 73; Nunawading 125 d AIS 120.
South Ladder: Bendigo (56), Knox (50), Hobart (45), NW Tasmania (36), Mt Gambier (27), Kilsyth (22), Ballarat (14).
East Ladder: Geelong (100), Frankston (78), Southern Districts (64), Canberra (56), Nunawading (56), Albury Wodonga (50), AIS (45).
This week: (Friday) Hobart v Bendigo, Ballarat v Mt Gambier; (Saturday) AIS v Frankston, Geelong v Nunawading, Southern Districts v Ballarat, NW Tasmania v Bendigo, Kilsyth v Knox; (Sunday) Canberra v Frankston, Nunawading v Kilsyth.
SEABL Women
Results: Bendigo 73 d NW Tasmania 55; Kilsyth 88 d Frankston 76; Nunawading 77 d Albury Wodonga 67; Knox 65 d Frankston 56; Ballarat 94 d NW Tasmania 67.
Ladder: Ballarat (89), Bendigo (78), Nunawading (67), Kilsyth (60), Knox (50), Southern Districts (44), Albury Wodonga (40), Launceston (33), NW Tasmania (33), Frankston (10).
This week: (Friday) Launceston v Nunawading; (Saturday) Southern Districts v Ballarat, NW Tasmania v Nunawading, Kilsyth v Knox, Frankston v Albury Wodonga; (Sunday) Launceston v Nunawading, Southern Districts v Ballarat, Knox v Bendigo.
