Raiders see off rivals Fliers

Both teams started in cagey fashion as neither could find their shooting touch from the perimeter.

Wily Fliers point guard Luke Patterson pulled the strings for the offence while his counterpart for Raiders, Vivian Lee, utilised his blinding speed to keep the scoreboard ticking over as his side led 20-16 in the first quarter.

The second period saw Raiders draw first blood with stellar play from M Hunter and M Quashie and, although shooting from distance was still off, Raiders took the quarter 20-9 to lead 40-25.

Fliers made some key strategic adjustments after the break and, adopting a zonal defence, they began to turn the tide. Raiders now spluttered offensively as they had to deal with Fliers big man N Baker who was finding gaps with ease.

Sensing a potential shift in momentum Raiders coach Leon Noel called a time out, which worked wonders as his side displayed a greater degree of poise and composure to lead 55-35.

In the final period, Fliers made one last push to overcome the deficit, but Raiders continued to find the basket to run out 69-48 winners.