Young guards excel as seconds scare champs

THE return of Nigel Govett inspired Collins Stewart Two to be 'so near yet so far' when they took on their first team in the Yorkshire Guernsey Division One. The final score of 72-50 was harsh on the young CS Two outfit as they had led the league champions for long periods during the match.

CS One established their 22-point victory in the fourth quarter when Govett was resting on the bench and the others in the team were fading.

It was the first game back for the 6ft 5in. island captain, who had been out since the start of the season with the recurrence of a previous knee injury.

'The younger kids played really well,' said the 31-year-old Govett.

'Our guards were exceptional against far more experienced opposition. Man for man they were always going to be stronger than us, but it's good that we took them all the way.

'But it was disappointing that they opened up a big gap as our kids got tired.'

While CS Two had the services of the influential Govett, they went into the match missing island guard Paul van Beek and big man Ben Colley.

That seemed to be crucial as their opponents, who had welcomed back danger man Simon Le Blancq after a Christmas holiday, opened up a nine-point gap in little time and a big win looked on the cards.

But this served to inspire CS Two as they rallied, with Govett and Polish centre Nic Racynski doing most of the damage.

By the end of the quarter, they had the lead by two points at 18-16.

CS Two continued with their good work into the second period and had it not been for Nick Jennings' eight points, their advantage at half-time could have been more than one point at 27-26.

Into the third and CS Two put their foot down on the pedal to stretch their advantage to seven points, with Racynski getting back-to-back baskets.

However, a 19-8 run to CS One to close the quarter ensured the champions took the lead into the final stanza by three points.

As Govett came off the court at the start of the fourth, it was one-way traffic towards the CS Two basket as Jennings and Lee Ogier started to impose themselves on the game and see CS One comfortably home.

Jennings led all scorers with 19 points, with teammates Kerry Smyth picking up 14 and Jamie Roussel and Ogier 12 apiece. For CS Two, Govett netted 17 while Racynski got 13.

Govett believes the result shows that his team, who have an average age of 19, have great potential.

'It bodes well for the future with our good young players getting experience at the highest level,' said Govett.

'Hopefully we can give Le Mont Saint a good game as well when we play them next week.

'It felt good to be back and I'm looking forward to staying healthy for the remainder of the season.'

Mavericks also notched up a 20-point victory when they overcame Bredoyle 64-44 in the Division Two knockout.

The latter went into the match hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Richmond Worriers in the league, but it was not to be as they could not contend with their opponents' fast breaks.

Mavs now face Goldridge Estate Agents in the final.

In Division Three, second-placed Eventure Hornets had no worries as they took care of Goldridge de Beauvoir 53-11, with Gemma Loveridge doing the main damage with 20 points.

But they did not fare as well in their second match of the week when they took on league leaders Collins Stewart Three and went down 55-38.

CS's Lorna Brown top-scored with 19 and teammate Rochelle Vaudin added 11.

Earlier in the week, CS Three had overcome Richmond Grammar 62-43.

Richmond needed to win to keep them in touch with the title race but were denied when Brown, Rachel Guille and Vaudin kept hitting the baskets regularly.