Kendal Warriors 55 Sunderland Predators 82

KENDAL proved to be ideal prey for the Predators as they suffered another defeat.

The Warriors went toe to toe with a full-strength Sunderland side knowing their prominent goalscorer and physical presence, Kevin Mason, was unavailable.

The gulf in quality showed as the Warriors succumbed to a 55-82 point loss.

Sunderland raced off to a 13 point lead as Kendal capitulated against little pressure in the first quarter.

Phil Mason and Mathias Basedow tried to respond for the Warriors but were unable to convert some tough shots under pressure.

Eventually Kendal began to respond through Tom Withnell and Phil Mason.

Their efforts were followed by a buzzer beating shot from Gareth France which pulled the hosts back to within ten points at the break as they trailed 13 - 23.

The end to the first quarter would prove to be a spring board for the Warriors who started to perform with greater belief as Marc Crockford and France hit consecutive three point shots.

Nathan Williams, starting in the absence of Kevin Mason, was demonstrating some solid defence while adding points of his own and Peter Howarth injected some much needed pace and hustle into the Warriors play.

With France, Phil Mason and Withnell adding further points, Kendal forced themselves back into the game trailing by only three points at the half way mark with the score being 32 points to 35.

Buoyed by their transformation in performance, the Warriors started the third quarter by trading baskets with the Predators as France and Basedow found routes to the basket.

Trailing by only six points with three minutes to go in the quarter however the home team inexcusably began to panic and without a recognised point guard on the court Sunderland capitalised forcing turnovers which resulted in the visitors scoring eight further points without reply to extend their lead to 39 - 53 at the end of the third.

With their heads cleared by the interval, Kendal looked to make headway into the visitors lead as tough baskets from Williams, Basedow, France and a reverse layup from McInnes displayed some promise that a comeback was on the cards.

However, Sunderland were now shooting the ball well from range which would see them score at a faster rate then their hosts and when Kendal's pressure defence didn't have the desired impact, Kendal became demoralised, forcing passes and shots, allowing Sunderland to finish the game off with a flurry of unanswered points to win 55- 82.

Kendal now have the unenviable task of visiting run away league leaders Newcastle on Sunday and will still be without the injured Kevin Mason.

Scorers- G France 31, K McInnes 5, N Williams 4, M Basedow 4, P Mason 4, T Withnell 4, Marc Crockford 3, P Howarth 0