Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Nemesis

Line-up: Phil C, Ross, Beau, Murray, Luke, Phil S (visit player stats)

Round 2, 2005 Winter Season

Wednesday, 27th April 2005

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Hulkamaniacs mount brave comeback to surprise Nemesis.

BENDIGO (AP).

The Hulkamaniacs have scored an impressive come from behind 5-point victory against spirited opposition on Wednesday night, continuing their unbeaten start to the 2005 Winter season.

Suffering a setback pre-game, the Hulkamaniacs were hit by the withdrawal of Adam from the line-up, potentially leaving the team undersized and undermanned.  Fortunately, the late inclusion of Phil S to the night's line-up added stability and a further solid defensive presence.

The Hulkamaniacs opponents, Nemesis, are essentially made up of players from the now defunct 'Buddies' side, which last played against the Hulkamaniacs in Season 2003-04.  The Hulkamaniacs recorded just 1 win against the Buddies from 6 games over 3 seasons. 

The Hulkamaniacs final match against the Buddies, a 3-point win, was the franchises 49th game and 17th win all-time - a winning ratio of .35.  Interestingly, since that game (a game many division 2 insiders consider the turning point for the franchise), the Hulkamaniacs have won 26 of 42 games, a winning ratio of .62.

The Hulkamaniacs would be hoping tonight's match might be another turning point for the formerly embattled franchise, continuing their surge towards their first division 2 title.

Phil C was characteristically showing no signs of intimidation early, taking it at his opponents at every opportunity - the games first basket, followed by his first 3-point field goal of the night, helping the Hulkamaniacs to an early lead.  As Phil C added yet another field goal to his tally, Nemesis were well and truly on the back foot.

However it didn't take long for Nemesis to get back into the match.  A 3-point field goal, and another basket quickly after kept the scores close, in a fast paced and intense game between two likely finalists.

Having watched Phil C carry the scoring load throughout the first 10 minutes of the half, Beau got into the offensive action with 6 consecutive points for his team, to keep Nemesis at bay temporarily.  However it was Nemesis that controlled the latter portion of the first half, hitting on a couple of long-range 3-point attempts under pressure, to finally give their team the lead. 

The Nemesis lead was up to as many as 5 points approaching the half, as Phil C drained a crucial 3-point field goal, his second of the night, just on half-time to peg the lead back to just 2 points after the first 20 minutes of play.

The second half did not start well for the Hulkamaniacs, as Nemesis gained total control of the contest with a number of baskets in succession.  The Hulkamaniacs seemed flat-footed and lethargic coming out of the break, with last weeks 40-minute "run-fest" against Silence possibly a contributing factor to their sluggish opening to the half.

With Nemesis up by a lead of almost 10 points, the Hulkamaniacs of old may have crumbled.  The new and improved Hulkamaniacs, however, were not going to throw in the towel so easily.

Led by Murray becoming more active on the offensive end, together with baskets from Beau and Phil C, the contest was rejuvenated as the Hulkamaniacs strung a number of consecutive baskets together.  At the opposite end of the court, Phil S's unexpected addition to the side just days earlier was proving a "boon" for his team, leading the way defensively in restricting the scoring efforts of Nemesis.

As the tension mounted, the Hulkamaniacs pulled level, and then took the lead for good courtesy once again of some stellar offensive efforts from Phil C, Beau and Murray - who shared the load of scoring throughout the match.

Nemesis made the Hulkamaniacs work for their win, with full-court pressure almost bringing the Hulkamaniacs undone in the final couple of minutes.  However some superb teamwork helped evade the press, with Phil C especially effective in breaking through the tight pressure that had been applied.

A couple of free throws - by Phil C and Phil S - sealed the match-winning lead for the Hulkamaniacs, with Nemesis coming up short on several forced long range attempts to steal the victory. 

In a confidence building victory for the Hulkamaniacs, the final score was 36 to 31.

Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C with 17, Beau 12, Murray 6 and Phil S 1.

In two weeks time, the Hulkamaniacs will renew hostilities with traditional division 2 rivals, the Wolverines.  The Hulkamaniacs have had the edge over the Wolverines in recent times - winning 8 of their past 9 encounters - and will be looking to continue that trend when they meet again, at 7:40pm on court 3.

MVP Standings: Phil C (13.5), Beau (13.0), Murray (9.0), Adam (6.5), Luke (3.0), Ross (2.5), Phil S (2), Jayson (0).

- Luke

Game notes.

This was the Hulkamaniacs first match against 'Nemesis', and their 92nd match all-time… Tonight was both Phil C and Beau's 60th all-time game… The pair sit equal fourth on the all-time games list for the Hulkamaniacs behind Luke (86 games), Adam (74 games) and Phil S (65 games)… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more.

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