Oldham hold on

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Oldham Titans under-16s, who won in the England Basketball League’s Sureshot Cup and the North Conference. Pictured are Sam Atkinson (back, left), Aiden Kelly, Sam Pennington, Mark Hamilton, (middle, left) Joe Cole, Kieran Weltz, David Walsh, James Goddard, Grant Coombes and Kameron Shorrocks (front).

BASKETBALL:

AFTER suffering back-to-back defeats, Oldham Titans under-18s returned to winning ways against Bury Blue Devils — just.

The teenagers claimed a nail-biting 45-43 victory in this England Basketball League’s North-West Conference clash. The opening quarter was nip-and-tuck, with Titans edging ahead (16-14) thanks to captain Chad Timmins’ late basket.

Blue Devils had nosed in front at half-time (27-23) and had gone nine points clear within six minutes of the restart, at which point coach Bob Lloyd called a time-out. The intervention worked as his side drew level at 37-37 with the final quarter remaining.

Titans opened up a six-point lead, only for Bury to post two successful free-throws which ensured a nervy finish.

Top scorers: Danny Halstead 14pts, Chad Timmins 9pts, James Harvey 5pts, Aiden Kelly 5pts.



OLDHAM Titans under-16s enjoyed an emphatic 93-57 win over Gateshead Tornados to reach round three of the England Basketball League’s Sureshot Cup competition.

They made a rapid start, with Aiden Kelly scoring a basket, followed by David Walsh’s successful free throw and a three-pointer from Kameron Shorrocks.

Gateshead did not open their account until the fifth minute, such was the visitors’ outstanding defence.

Leading 21-9 at the end of the first quarter, Titans were comfortably clear at 53-28 entering the second half of the game.

There was no let up in the third quarter, and they looked set to reach the 100-point mark. However, Gateshead were much-improved in the fourth, taking the quarter 19-16.

Titans will face Cheshire Juniors or Leeds Carnegie in the next round.

Top scorers: David Walsh 37pts, Sam Atkinson 17pts, Kameron Shorrocks 12pts.

The under-16s also swept aside Sefton Stars 89-42 in the England Basketball League’s North Conference.