MEN’S top-flight newcomers Razors and RA Herons suffered heavy losses against two former champions in their baptism of fire over the weekend at the Palais des Sports
Premium Cobras and Baya showed no mercy for inexperienced RA Herons and Razors who are now better-informed of the standard of play in the big league and know that life won’t be easy for them this season.
Coach Grégoire Scholastique’s RA Razors, who beat Beau Vallon Heat in last year’s play off to earn their place in the top-flight league, not only got beaten 109-30, but also lost Kurtis Marday who was disqualified after picking up two consecutive technical fouls from referee Valli Ismaёl. Himself a referee, Marday continued to make negative remarks each time referee Ismaёl called a decision and the same official hit him with another technical foul while on the substitutes bench and he had to go into the stands.
Before leaving, he returned his referee’s jersey saying he will no longer officiate in local matches. Marday faces a two-match ban for his action.
On the court, Bertrand Alphonse scored nine points to lead RA Herons, while Premium Cobras’ Nigerian playmaker Michael Ohiero top-scored with 38 points, including five 3-pointers.
Coming off the bench, Darren Lesperance buried six treys for 18 of his 25 points and power forward Dominic Pillay added 14 in Premium Cobras’ opening win.
Last year’s division two champions Razors outscored Baya 21-14 in the final quarter, but it was too little too late in a match Baya had already sewn up in the first three quarters.
The final score was 94-55 in favour of coach Michel Malbrook’s team, whose centre Robert Léon got 16 consecutive points in the first 10-minute spell to finish with a game-high 27. Baya also got 21 from playmaker Giovanni Laval and 17 from Dave Roseline.
Alex Baron top-scored for coachless Razors with 16 points.
MBU Rockers had two players scoring in double digits – skipper Nigel Sinon 16, including eight free throws and swingman Cyril Agrippine 12, including two treys – in a 57-48 win over RC Dynamic who got 12 points from both captain Jean-Paul Desaubin and new recruit Karim Crésar.
Sandy Julienne came alive in the fourth quarter with two treys in a row for six of his 12 points as Cascade Bullets, coached by Tony Juliette, beat Mont Fleuri Dawgz 64-57.
Dan Côme had the hot hands for the Bullets with 15 points, including three treys, while captain Biko Biong and playmaker Christopher Camille made 10-point contributions to the win.
Skipper Reggie Ah-Kong netted 17 points for the Dawgz who also got 11 from Jim Créa and seven from former Premium Cobras playmaker Tony ‘Siro’ Moustache.
Meanwhile, in a men’s second division match, Beau Vallon Heat were paced by Rennick Charlette with 13 points in a 59-35 win over five-man army LMS Youth.
G. G.