Scorchers fall to Sheffield Sharks

Surrey Scorchers fall to Sheffield Sharks

Scorchers return to a packed-out Surrey Sports Park to take on the Sheffield Sharks for the first time this season.

Captain Tayo Ogedengbe remains out the squad due to a hip injury and joins Andrew Lawrence on the bench assisting Coach Creon.

In the last two games Coach Creon has made an emphasis on the defensive energy of the squad and it being a key focus in the lead up to this game.

From the tip-off there was no shortage of this as Legend Robertin starts the game with a dunk and strong finish off the pick and roll. Robertin would go on to have a career high night of 16 points.

Sheffield’s guard Anderson put the away sides first 5 points on the board as he entered the game with the hot hand. Stanley Davis Jr found the mismatch with Wallace beating him off the dribble for some easy scores as Wallace struggled to pick up Davis Jr outside the 3-point line.

Debut Devin Thomas entered the game half way through the first quarter and gets his first points in a Scorchers jersey. Thomas Knocked down from the charity stripe after the sharp shooter was fouled on a mid-range pull up.

Scorchers trailed by 6 points to finish the quarter after doing a great job to stop points in the paint as Sheffield do their damage behind the arc.

In the 2^nd quarter Caylin Raftopoulos running the point and finding flow in the offence. Wanliss enters off the bench hustling for an offensive rebound playing with heart on both ends of the floor.

Scorchers find success through the pick and roll between Dang-Akodo and Robertin. Sheffield continue the fire power from range as veteran Mike Tuck cashes in on a 3 to become Sheffield Sharks leading all time scorer.

Legend gets the crowd on their feet with a thunderous dunk on top of Anderson. As Scorchers gain momentum Sharks Ratinho silences the run going into the half 100% from the field edging Sheffield to a 34 – 38 lead.

To start the 2^nd half Saiquan Jamison opens the scoring with a finish plus the foul on his way to just shy of the forwards usual double-double with 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Tuck nails another 3-pointer from the top of the key as part of his 16 points on a historic night also reaching the 2500 rebound milestone.

With 5 minutes to go in the quarter scorchers trail by 4 and lock down on defence with Dang-Akodo and Hamrick putting in work resulting  a Sheffield time out.

The grit on defence was contagious as Legend puts his body in the line with 2 minutes to go rejecting a huge Delpeche dunk attempt followed by another from Mvuezolo.

With nothing separating the teams heading into the final quarter Sheffield open a 7-point lead to start the 4^th.

Wallace adds to the run with a deep 3 making it a 12-point differential. Neither team Scoring with ease in the 4^th as no shot was left uncontested.

With Scorchers chasing the game Davis Jr knocks down a clutch 3 making it a 3-point game with 3 minutes to go.

With a last minute come back on the horizon Scorchers struggle to execute on the final possessions giving Sharks the comfort room to take the victory.