Prior College match reports

Prior On Fire!

07/11/07 at Tyne Met College, Tynemouth

Tyne Met College 43-92 Prior Pursglove College

Prior College travelled up the A19 and saw light at the end of the Tyne Tunnel as they produced a stunning performance to beat an organised and well coached Tyne Met outfit in the British Colleges Cup. Tyne Met are under the tutorage of Paul Graham, owner of National League side; the Tyne Met Trojans and were coached by former BBL player Adam Barnes, however the home side were blown away by the level of skill and sheer determination to succeed, displayed by the Guisborough team.

Prior drew first blood as captain; James Burton drove to the basket, followed by a baseline shot from Matthew Brown. Doolan replied for Tyne Met in the third minute only for Prior to notch up a further 5 points, although the free throw conversion ratio was not good reading at 3/6. Tyne Met halted the run with Skipsey successful on his second attempt under the basket. Skipsey then went to the line but missed both attempts, this error rectified though, as he converted two 3 pointers in the following minute. Prior were still comfortable leaders with the scores at 10-17 but Coach James Thomson called a Time out and switched to a 3-2 zone defence, which positioned three players close to the 3 point line to make the 3 point shots more difficult. By the end of the first quarter Prior were in front by 10 with the scores at 12-22.

The second quarter was a crushing blow to the home side as Prior, led by an inspirational eight minute of brilliance from Burton, went on a 22-0 run. Tom Early and Usman Hussain both produced the goods for Prior to ensure the home side would not score until the eighth minute when Skipsey broke the deadlock. Coach Barnes called a Tyne Met Time Out to try and rally his troops but it was more a case of Prior playing so well rather than Tyne Met playing poor. Prior guard; Matthew Brown, who came off in the first quarter with a twisted ankle attempted to return, but was substituted shortly after and would take no further part. Burton hit the final two shots but Tyne Met would only manage to score one more point via McIlvenny in a quarter to forget. Prior outscored their hosts 26-3 and were looking a safe bet, even at half time with the score at 15-48.

In the half time team talk, Coach Thomson stressed the importance of staying focussed, as any lapse in concentration could provide a small but significant route back for Tyne Met. The message was well heeded as they continued where they left off with James Burton opening the scores for Prior with a 3 pointer after Doolan scored a lay up for Tyne Met. Early, Norman and the seemingly unstoppable Burton combined well to maintain the run of points and in the sixth minute of the third quarter were already at 60 points, tripling the hosts score. Some good work from Tyne Met's Sheldan and Kan exposed some rare weaknesses in the Prior defence but the visitors still held a dominance, finishing 28-72 after Sam Pitt hit a big 3 pointer.

In the final quarter Sheldan lifted Tyne Met to 30 points to a rapturous applause for his solo move. They home side had been in good spirits throughout the game, during periods when most teams would have lost their composure. This strong attitude could be attributed to a strong start for Tyne Met as Southall, Doolan and Sheldon raised their games to outscore Prior 9-4 in the first three minutes. After this initial shock, Prior finished the remainder of the game well as Jack Sanders hit a 3 pointer and then another 9 points in a row to round off a well deserved win for Prior Pursglove College, 43-92.

The Most Valuable Player award was a unanimous decision in favour of Prior captain; James Burton who top scored with 42 points.