The second round of the Men's National Cup second round threw up some surprise results at the weekend.

 

Our Game of the Week between Bradford Dragons and Leeds Carnegie was one of the few second round match-ups that was decided by less than a double digit margin.

 

Leeds got revenge after Bradford's Trophy win earlier this season by eliminating them from the National Cup with a 68-61 victory. Henry Wilkins and Dave Ajumobi combined for 43 Carnegie points in the win.

 

The big upset in the second round saw Division 3 side Worcester Wolves II defeat Glamorgan Gladiators 87-54.

 

Despite Gladiators taking an early 22-15 first quarter lead, Worcester stormed back to win the final three periods 62-32 and now await their chance at another upset against Division 1 side Bristol Academy Flyers. Flyers defeated Division 3 team Plymouth Marjon 76-61 in their second round clash.

 

A 24-8 opening quarter against newly-relegated PAWS London Capital saw NASSA Neptunes cruise comfortably into Round 3 where they await Hemel Storm.

 

Storm beat Brixton Topcats 87-73 in the second round and their associate head coach Mark Lloyd said, "The game was played at a higher level than our first match against them in the Trophy so this was an important win for us.

 

"They really got after us defensively but we responded well and executed - especially down the stretch. Although we're still experimenting with line-ups, for the first time we were able to close the game out in the last eight minutes with our key guys on the floor rested and ready to perform," he said.

 

All other second round games went the way of the upper tier team.

 

In the games that featured two teams playing each other from the same division, Mansfield Giants beat Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows 96-86, Worthing Thunder defeated Medway Park Crusaders 87-78 and the red-hot Tees Valley Mohawks beat local rivals Team Northumbria 87-68.

 

Mohawks head coach Steve Butler was quick to praise his team:

 

"It's great to get a local win," he said. "Northumbria are a good team and to win here on their court is a great result for us. Jorge Ebanks got a season high 35 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists; he was excellent today but the whole team was. Lee McLaughlin came off the bench and gave us the spark we needed in the second half so I'm really pleased with his effort."

 

Worthing Thunder coach Daniel Hildreth was also pleased with his team's performance in Kent:

 

"The whole team played well and I'm proud of everyone involved. We've deserved this win, and it was a great reward for the effort and professionalism they displayed on the court this weekend," said the new coach.

 

The full list of Men's National Cup second round results are outlined below. The third round schedule will be finalised after the two remaining round 2 games are played on Thursday evening. London Westside host Canary Wharf London Lituanica and Reading Rockets take on Bracknell Cobras in a battle of Berkshire.

 

2nd Round
Oct 7 2012	Worcester Wolves II	87	v	54	Glamorgan Gladiators
Oct 7 2012	Team Solent	55	v	79	Westminster Warriors
Oct 7 2012	Essex Leopards	20	v	0	Brentwood Fire
Oct 7 2012	Leicester Warriors	75	v	51	Birmingham Mets
Oct 7 2012	Loughborough Students Riders	74	v	58	Birmingham A's
Oct 7 2012	LSBU Brixton Topcats	73	v	87	Hemel Storm
Oct 7 2012	Mansfield Giants	96	v	86	Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows
Oct 7 2012	Medway Park Crusaders	78	v	87	Worthing Thunder
Oct 7 2012	Newham (NASSA) Neptunes	85	v	50	PAWS London Capitals
Oct 7 2012	Nottingham Hoods	66	v	89	Derby Trailblazers
Oct 7 2012	Manchester Magic	93	v	61	Rossendale Raptors (stats)
Oct 7 2012	Plymouth Marjon	61	v	76	Bristol Academy Flyers
Oct 7 2012	Bradford Dragons	61	v	68	Leeds Carnegie
Oct 7 2012	Team Northumbria	68	v	87	Tees Valley Mohawks

 

Photo courtesy Alan Mousley