TAMWORTH Thunderbolt men’s and women’s Waratah State League sides have huge clashes on the Tamworth Sports Dome Showcourt this Saturday.
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The Chris Tudman-coached women’s Thunderbolts must beat Coffs Harbour Suns to keep their season alive and have any chance of making the playoffs.
The John Ireland-coached Thunderbolt men are in a much better position.
Guaranteed a playoff spot, they are playing Newcastle Hunters for one of the top spots in their Pool B.
The Thunderbolt women could have consolidated sixth spot on the ladder and a playoff spot with a win over Newcastle Hunters in Newcastle last Saturday night but lost 73-62 after leading at every break.
“We have to beat Coffs Harbour in both games now,” Tudman said.
“Here at home on Saturday night and then over there.
“All the girls played extremely well in Newcastle.
“They just got us in the last four or five minutes with their experience and height.”
The Thunderbolt women tip off at 4pm Saturday while the men follow.
They are vying for a top three spot in Pool B of their State League competition.
“It’s a big game for us,” Ireland said after Sunday’s 97-82 win over the Maitland Mustangs.
“That’ll determine whether we finish one, two or three.
“The win (over Maitland) was a good one considering we were coming off a tough game the night before (68-62 loss) against the Crusaders.
“The Mustangs had pushed Newcastle in their previous game and were full of confidence.”
Dwayne Noud hit 21 of his 34 points in the first quarter as the Mustangs led by 16 and then 33-22 at the quarter break.
The Thunderbolts responded well and led by four at halftime before winning by 15.
“It was a good test for us,” Ireland said.
“A good test of character to be down and backing up from such a tough game.
“All the boys stepped up well.”
Max Chillingworth had bounced back to his dynamic best in the loss to the Crusaders, finishing with a 21- point game and was just as strong on Sunday with Luke Krug and skipper David Bourke in providing some good transition from United States import Kyle Gupton.
The outstanding Gupton hit 31 points while Justin Leehy’s “move to the post” has proved fruitful.
He hit 17 points while Ben Eather also bounced back from a horror Saturday night where he entered early foul trouble and fouled out early with no points.
On Sunday he scored 16 and had at “least five or six blocks”, Ireland said.