Match Report: Plymouth Raiders vs Crawley Storm
A Match Report Published in the Plymouth Herald on 21-1-24
The Plymouth Raiders’ struggles on the road continued this past weekend losing 95-62 to the Crawley Storm in Sussex. Raiders were boosted by the news that both Tom Woods and Tom Elliot-Smith were fit enough to play a part in this game after overcoming a broken foot and ankle injury respectively. Neither have played in the last few games for the Greens and it wasn't surprising to see neither of them named in the Raiders’ starting 5. Coach Gaz Laws instead chose to go with the strongest starting 5 available to him in Robin Hall, Lombe Mumba, Captain Dan Taylor, Jason Carr (last week’s top scorer in the win over Bath) and Brad Newton-Clark. Both Tom Woods and Tom Elliot-Smith would crown their return to action by ending the day as the Raiders top two scorers. Woods ended the afternoon with 16 points and Elliot-Smith had a team high 18 points, Captain Dan Taylor rounded the raiders top scorers off by bagging 10 points. Sadly these high scoring stats This wasn't enough and the home side dominated the game, making a large number of 3 point shots and with Crawley being able to name one of the best out and out scorers in the D3 in Mackey who would get a staggering 38 points in this game it wasn't surprising to see Raiders down big at half time with the home team leading 46-25 at half time before stretching that lead even further in the second half.
This has been a season of two halves for the Raiders; they currently have won all 4 of their league games at home, as well as a victory over the impressive Gloucester kings team in a friendly, but on the road the Raiders have struggled, losing all 4 of their away games so far. The distance that Raiders have to travel this season has grown, with the restricting of the leagues, and the greens have had a number of injuries to key players but all is not lost. The Green machine find themselves in the position of having games in hand on those around them in Division 3, and they still have yet to travel to face Cardiff Met and Bracknell, who both currently sit below Raiders in the table, as well as a derby game against cross city rivals Marjon Patriots to come. All are games that coach Gaz Laws will be eyeing as possible wins and lifting the monkey off of the teams back. This coming weekend, Raiders are back at home where they face former British Basketball league opponents the Brighton Bears. The Bears who famously once had NBA superstar Dennis Rodman play a number of games for them, sit directly above Raiders in the table. A win for Raiders would keep the 100% home record intact, but more importantly would see Raiders leapfrog the Bears in the table. It is all to play for at the Life Centre this weekend with Gaz Laws, the players and chairman Ross Mackenzie keen to stress the importance the fans have played this season so far, and calling on the Raiders faithful to once again pack into the Life Centre and cheer the greens onto an important win.
Tickets for this huge game against the Brighton Bears are on sale via the Raiders’ website and links on social media accounts. The game takes place this Sunday at the Plymouth Life Centre, tipping off at 2pm.