Saints take A-grade nail-biter over Lakers

After a nail-biting two-point loss to College last week, Saints were involved in another men's A-grade basketball thriller on Monday, this time coming out on the right side of the ledger, showing nerves of steel to beat BMWC Lakers 70-69 at Marlborough Lines Stadium.

Trailing 68-69, Saints' Charles Murdoch made two clutch free throws with just 2.7 seconds remaining to give them the win after they had trailed for most of the game. Lakers led by three at half time and six at the three-quarter mark, but Saints took advantage of Lakers' Mark Rainbird fouling out in the fourth quarter to take the final period 21-14.

Saints hero Murdoch scored a game high 19 points, including three trey's and found good support from Nick O'Hagan (15) and Dave Sandford (12), while captain Mark Davis made three crucial late free throws in his 15 points. For the Lakers, lethal long-range shooter Cameron Costley scored a team high of 15 points, managing only one from downtown, while Tom Kendrick added 10 and Rainbird eight.

Meanwhile, impressive performances by Gareth Vile, Matt Pigou and Mitch Wiffen led College to a comfortable 78-39 victory over Woodbourne. Vile scored a game high of 21 points, while Pigou 19 and Wiffen 16 also scored freely as College pulled further away as the game progressed. They led by 14 at halftime and 21 at the end of the third period, before romping home 26-8 in the final quarter, putting on a dominant showing. Captain Leo Wiapo was the shining light for Woodbourne with 14 points, with Chris Lindsay (8) and Will Comer (7) also chipping in.

In women's A-grade competition a slight third-quarter lapse could not stop MGC Junior A from defeating Paddy Barry's 89-61.

After leading 51-28 at half time the college girls lost the third period 19-23, before restoring the order 19-10 in the final stanza.

In the other women's game, MGC Yellow stormed to a 112-38 win over Harcourts All Stars, MGC scoring 73 points in the second half to run away with the match.

In men's B grade, Team Buzz easily account for College B 86-29, while Spikey Dog Fish beat United 28-16 in a low-scoring affair.

In mixed-grade action, BWMC Hornets defeated Stadium 63-55, Rebels had a 37-27 win over United and Brigz Ballaz were too good for College, winning their clash 74-49.

- The Marlborough Express