Scottish Rocks dish out masterclass to leave Eagles stuffed

Nov 20 2008 By Matthew Leslie

SCOTTISH ROCKS hit back at their critics last weekend after they trounced table toppers Newcastle Eagles 89-74.

The Kelvin Hall side had flaterred to deceive in their previous two home games but rediscovered the winning formula to crush the Geordies.

Rocks player/boss Sterling Davis had demanded that his troops give him a 40-minute performance and he got one as each man stepped up to the plate.

So-called experts had predicted an Eagles win - understandably given the hiding they had dished out to Leicester Riders who had brushed the Rocks aside the previous week.

But with Davis literally putting his body on the line and skipper Rob Yanders wreaking havoc upon the Eagles defence, the Rocks' season finally came to life.

Davis said: "We knew there were some sceptics out there who wrote us off but I believe in this team and that faith was repaid with not only the win but the performance.

"I've been saying for a while that once the team puts in a 40-minute display then you will get results like this and I'm proud of them.

"I think you saw how badly we wanted to win - my spectacular collision with Reggie Jackson might illustrate that.

"I don't know how I flipped over him but it seemed to rally the crowd and their volume level increased which gave us a boost."

Of the Rocks support, captain Yanders gave his full thanks.

He said: "I believe we have the best fans in the country and they proved that tonight as they were our sixth man out there.

Yanders and Davis aside, other performances worthy of mention were Gareth Murray who gave the Newcastle defence a headache throughout the match.

New boy Randy George showed the fans why Davis was inspired to sign him when after coming on for the second half, he was not only devastating under the Eagles' basket but put in a stoical display in defence as time and again he snuffed out many a Newcastle attack.

Yanders added: "I've been telling Randy all week that he is a great player and can help us to greater things and tonight he more than proved his worth to the team.

"Gareth's come a long way since arriving as a raw rookie three years ago but he showed he's one of the best attackers in this league."

The Rocks are now third in the league, but have three games in hand over both Newcastle and second-placed Plymouth.

However, great though beating their oldest rivals was, they will have to do it again when they travel to Tyneside on Friday for the return.

Yanders continued: "As soon as this match ended I told the guys to enjoy this night but come in the next day ready and focussed as we have another big game at their place.

"Newcastle will be hurting and will want revenge but if we can win again, then people will know we're serious about winning this league."