National League Basketball sponsored by TADEA & Yankee Candles @ Heaven Scent Middlesbrough

TADEA Middlesbrough Lions v Hull Wasps
This Sunday 3.30pm Eston Sports Academy
Adults £4, Children £3 & Family £12

The two biggest clubs in the league, in terms of structure and support will meet this Sunday at Eston Sports Academy. Hull Wasps have all the ingredients of a successful team. Their main man is player/coach John Brignall who is a 6’8” power forward with an excellent touch around the basket. He is a strong rebounder and their leader on the court. Against Durham Brignall hit a massive 36pts.

There are also the usual suspects to contend with in Jamie Goodwin, Adrian Blatherwick, James Rayner and Rob Birchmore. Goodwin is a skilful player inside the key with a good shot from just outside. Blatherwick and Birchmore are versatile players with good perimeter shooting and James Rayner is a 6’6” centre who can rebound and block shots.

With 6’8” Brignall and 6’6” Rayner they have a good presence of height but not without stable guards and a safe pair of hands has always been Matt Fawcett who controls the ball well.

In the 2009/10 season Hull inflicted a record defeat over Reddish Rebels with a whopping 105-33 result. They finished in 6th place last season which was probably less than they expected and deserved. The games between Lions and Hull last season were close affairs with both games going the way of Wasps with a 58-59 win at Eston and a 69-63 result at the Bonus Arena.

Their defence this season is streaky with some superb team defence limiting the likes of Liverpool to just 17pts in the first half but on the other hand allowing veteran Liverpool shooter; Paul Jones to hit 26pts.

Off the court chairman, David Bushell continues to drive the club forward with the help of their principal sponsors North Point shopping centre.

TADEA Lions are hoping to have 6’6” forward Rob Wright back in action after missing the Stockport game. Anthony Humes will be looking for extended minutes after impressing last Sunday although there will be no place for player coach James Thomson who will be restricted to a pure coaching role due to his ongoing knee injury.