Basketball: Waikato one win from retention

Waikato have one hand on the National Basketball League title after starting the series against Nelson with a 81-69 win.

The second in the best of three match finals series is in Te Awamutu tonight and Waikato fancy their chances of retaining the title.

The first match win for the reigning champions in Nelson was a resounding result which owed a great deal to their physically uncompromising and pragmatic approach.

Waikato signalled their intent early in the first match, using their big men to suffocate the Nelson shooters while nailing open shots at the other end to rush out to a 20-9 lead.

They successfully double teamed Nelson dangerman Phill Jones, restricting the noted marksman to a solitary three-pointer in the first half which ended with Waikato in front 40-34, aided in no small part from four three-pointers by Michael Fitchett.

The former Nelson Giant point guard knocked in another two from long distance in the third quarter as Waikato held the hosts at bay before entering the final stanza leading 65-48.

Nelson's predicament was bleak enough but it worsened when they lost the services of starting guard Jarryd Lloyd for 10 minutes after he injured his neck when falling heavily to the floor.

They required a minor miracle but it was not forthcoming.

Fireworks did explode, though, when Nelson international Tony Rampton and Mike Homik were ejected from the court after wrestling one another to the floor in a flurry of twisted arms.

Neither man was seen to throw a punch but match officials directed them off the court anyway, an action which probably cost Nelson more than Waikato.

Their ejection meant both automatically have to serve a one-match suspension, ruling them out of tonight's rematch.

Nelson's energy levels lifted as they dragged themselves to within 10 points at 57-67 with a touch over six minutes remaining.

Waikato captain Pero Cameron paid tribute to Fitchett after the match.

"Fitch is a great shooter and he stepped up to the mark. He had some open shots.

"It baffles me a little why they'd leave him open because he's the best shooter in the league."

Power forward Adam Ballinger was also strong for Waikato, particularly down the stretch as he finished with 22 points.

Nelson skipper Phill Jones said his side faced a stiff assignment as they now needed to win twice away from home to deny Waikato another national crown.

"Nothing is impossible but after tonight's game it will be tough up there [Te Awamutu]."

- NZPA