First game of new season ends in defeat

Athboy Cobras 69-58 Dundalk Ravens

Dundalk Ravens first game of the new season ended in defeat away to Athboy Cobras in Trim leisure centre on Friday night. It was a valiant effort made by the six players who in attendance due to injuries and college commitments. Ravens are missing a vast number of the squad from last years losing semi final team due to players leaving to return home (Andrius Burba and Kostas Keraputis), also others who want to try their hands at another sport (Fu Faapito and Aaron Lawless) and one more to work commitments (John Rafferty) Also let us not forget Gonzo who left for the money and went to Oz!

The game began well with two quick three pointers from Darren McGovern and some great rebounding on the defensive end from Mateusez Karpinski who is expected to become a very important player with the Ravens this coming season and others. New comer to the team this year and DKIT French student Mohammad Dida fitted well into the team from the start. Tadas Nerbutas and Mindi Savilius continued from the last couple of seasons to be very reliable players. Also one addition from the under aged set up Kristop Blums acquitted himself quite well when called upon during the game. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens led 17-14.

In the the Cobras main player Eamon Brady found a few easy baskets to help chip into the Ravens lead. Scores from Karpinski and McGovern cancelled these out later in the quarter. The quarter ended with a huge dunk by Mateusz Karpinski on the break away. At half time the Ravens still led 33-29.

The third quarter is where the game was won by the Cobras with their defence picking up some good turnovers and converting them wit ease. Mindi tried in vein to get scores and did so but with little help offensively the Cobras took the led going into the final quarter 55-46.

With only one sub for the game the Ravens tired quickly and ill discipline again came back to haunt them. After a few minutes the Ravens had nothing left in the tank and ran out victors in the end. Though the Ravens will look forward to the return home leg where they will hope to overturn this result of 69-58 to the Cobras

Team and Scorers

Darren McGovern 24, Mateusz Karpinski 10, Mindi Savilius 13, Tadas Nerbutas 3, Kristop Blums 2, Mohammad Dida 6