Teams likely to be heading for the B-grade men’s play offs clashed last week and the closeness of the games indicating a struggle for supremacy with semi-final time only a month away.

Dream Team led Mambas 30-17 at half time but were almost overhauled in the second half before escaping a 55-54 victory.

Back to back scores of 16-9 and 14-8 in the first half, Dream Team were on top and would have been confident of repeating that effort in the second stanza.

Mambas punctured that dream in the third quarter with a rampant display of audacious shooting mainly from Padraigh Hickey (11 points), to quickly chase down the lead and outscore Dream Team 23-14 and trail by four at the final break.

Mambas were also quickly into their stride in the final quarter, taking the lead 50-48 with a three pointer from Hickey.

However the lead was sort lived as in the blink of an eye Joseph Jackson sank his own three-point bomb to snatch the advantage for Dream Team by one point.

With time on the wing, Gerard Tioseco put Mambas back in the driving seat by two, but Dream Team found space for Rhys George to sink what turned out to be the final winning basket.

Harley Zulueta kept Dream Team in the game with 20 points, Jackson 19 points, Max Wheatley eight. The game’s high scorer was Hickey for Mambas on 22, Callum Baker and Gerard Tioseco 12 each.

 Telstra remain undefeated after downing the in form Southside 66s 71-36.

Southside were expected to extend Telstra in this match after their defeat of Crystal Clear Rams (1), but the writing was on the wall even at quarter time as Telstra led 26-12.

The 66s showed fight in the second quarter, matching Telstra’s 10 points, but were still behind by 14 at the long break.

The points started flowing for Telstra once again in the third period as Southside were unable to match the accuracy of Peter Walsh (22 points) and Chris Spinner who finished with 19. Telstra knocked in 38 points to Southside’s 14 in the second half. Josh Marchant sank several nice baskets in scoring 11 points, Dean Saxby nine.

Adam Keightley Constructions picked up their third win of the season, beating Hairy Globetrotters 38-24.

Globetrotters, who were also going for their third win, fell behind in the first half 22-11. 

Putting the poor start aside, Hairy Globetrotters went back to their game plan in the second half which became a cut and thrust affair, as the two teams, like two medieval knights, pursued each from one end of the court to the  other looking for an opening to strike the final blow.

But first half inflictions by AKC severely slowed down  their opposition, and although Globetrotters managed a few telling blows in the latter stages of the game, they were unable to find sufficient points to drag themselves onto the victory dais.

Adam Keightley scored 17 points for the winners, David Houlihan nine. Phil English 14 and Craig Reiss and Sean Wolfson four each for the Globetrotters.

Crystal Clear Rams (2) have clear ambitions of making the A-grade playoffs but came up short against second placed Country Physio 37-31.

Despite the loss it was a confidence boosting result for the Rams as they were always in the game. The consistent shooting effort from Country Physio the difference, illustrated by the winners never being headed at any break.

Country Physio led 10-4 at quarter time, by seven at half time, and although Crystal Clear had narrowed the gap to four points at the final break, by full time, Country Physio stretched the winning margin to eight points.

Jim Disher top scored for Country Physio with 15 points, Andrew Channon 12, Kyle Manning four. Julian Geddes 18 points for the Rams, Peter Mayson five, Brett Swords four.

Tonight the top two teams, Crystal Clear Rams (1) and Telstra clash at 7.30pm at St Matthews in what could be a preview of the A-grade grand final.

Draw for Monday, August 12:

PCYC

6.30pm - Adam Keightley 

Constructions v Southside 66s

7.30pm - Crystal Clear Rams 

(2) v Mambas

St Matthew’s

6.30pm - Country Physio v 

Hairy Globetrotters

7.30pm - Crystal Clear Rams 

(1) v Telstra