Basketball: Grant drives Waterford Crystal on to victory

WATERFORD Crystal picked up only their third Superleague success of the season when they had 10 points to spare (88-78) over Burger King Limerick in the only men’s senior game of the weekend.

The first round of the Junior Men's Cup dominated the weekend agenda, imposing a further interruption on many teams in the ESB Men's Superleague. Neither Waterford Crystal nor Burger King Limerick are participating in the Junior Cup this year, allowing them proceed with Superleague action.

Waterford's Robert Grant was happy they did, scoring 22 points for the eventual winners. But it was Grant's brilliant defensive display in guarding Burger King's danger man Jamal Hunter which proved decisive.

There was an ESB Cup dress rehearsal in the women's superleague as Vienna Woods, Glanmire got a psychological blow in ahead of their knockout clash with Tolka Rovers with a 80-57 victory yesterday.

With a 15-point half-time margin the issue was never seriously in doubt in the second half. The Cork girls were out of the blocks with a burst, leading 14-2 after 3 minutes. Adrianna Spears was impressive for Glanmire and top scored with 16 points.

Wildcats kept the pressure up on Superleague leaders, UL, with a 87-73 win over Meteors in Waterford.

In ESB Junior Men's Cup qualifying action the following advanced to the final knockout stage Demons, Neptune, Westaro Castlebar, Clondalkin Lakers, UCD Marian, St. Vincents, Killester and Delta Notre Dame.