Returning Cranchi unable to lift struggling Xtel

IT NOW looks like a two-horse race for the Division One title. Collins Stewart and La Fraternelle both maintained their interest in the championship, but Xtel are faltering badly and remain firmly at the foot of the league.

Xtel started brightly enough against La Fraternelle and by the third minute had raced into an 11-0 lead, but by the end of the quarter the game was tied at 11 each.

The remaining quarters went to La Fraternelle as they stamped their author-ity on the game.

James Tracey kept plugging away for Xtel, scoring 15 points.

On his first appearance of the season Toni Cranchi added 12, but Xtel's hold on the game slipped as they failed to convert their chances.

Kerry Smyth glided in for 21 points for La Fraternelle, while Mark Barnett played particularly strongly inside to score 21 and without playing at his best, Paul van Beek managed 16.

The final score of 79 to 48 was not prolific, but there were periods of play to encourage both sides as they approach the midway stage of the season.

The Newton Island Juniors had played well in their previous couple of games and expectations were high for a repeat performance when they met Collins Stewart.

They began well and after five minutes were all square on 15 points, their control, shape, offensive play and defensive quality promising a close match.

Collins Stewart had other ideas, though, as they applied a full-court press that posed the Juniors with problems that they could not solve.

Their earlier control evaporated and the game became a struggle for them as they became unable to impose any fluency.

Collins Stewart ran away with the score, pouncing on any mistake, forcing turnovers and punishing any loose play.

Jamie Roussel shone with 39 points, but Andy Maiden always seemed on hand under the basket as he added 26 and Lee Ogier scampered away to score 21.

For the Juniors, Luke Archenoul scored 18 points, but his efforts brought little reward. Indeed, the final score of 123-55 was a little harsh on the Juniors.

In Division Two, Sarasin Saints moved to the top of the league, although having played a game more after beating bottom team Richmond Worriers by 62 points to 28.

The Saints played confidently and until the final quarter held the upper hand.

Any thoughts that the Worriers had of moving off the bottom were dashed in the second quarter when they scored a miserly one point.

The unlikely Ben Hill top scored for the Saints with 17 points that included three from beyond the arc.

The result virtually ensures the Worriers will be relegated.

In Division Three, La Fraternelle All-Stars maintained their unbeaten record but not without a scare.

The Monkeys led by 28 points to 10 before the All Stars realised that they had to increase the tempo and put the ball in the basket.

It took until the middle of the third quarter to claw back the deficit and take the lead, but once ahead they never looked in danger of losing it. Richard Hamilton scored 25 points for the All Stars and Iain Clarke 19 as they won by 71 to 55 to move one step nearer promotion.