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IT WAS CLOSE. But not close enough on Saturday for Manchester to prevent a second successive 100-point haul from the post-Parillon Thunder. Magic pulled back to 93-95 but blew the momentum and sent immaculate free-shooting Thunder three times to the line.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jan 2005, 11:06 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:58 BST

An unsportsmanlike foul by Thunder's Okolie Ugbana forced Terrell Ivory out of the game injured but guard Stephan Gill, having made both Ivory's penalty shots, then travel violated in taking the following inbounds possession.

Magic's punishment was then to watch Teon Knox, Danny Hildreth and Gaylon Moore sink six free throws.

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David Butterworth hit four of five three-pointers and Steve Gayle three of four. Thunder won rebounding 49-35.

Now Worthing are at home on Saturday to beaten National Cup finalists City of Sheffield Arrows in an acid test of their new line-up which features centre Pat Bates. He was unstoppable at Manchester and Arrows should now be at a height disadvantage.

Their lucky left-handed guard Ryan Patton, however, is apparently challenging Gaylon Moore for the League MVP title. His last-gasp three-pointer at Sheffield in the semi-final denied Thunder a place in the Cup Final.

This will be one of the games of the season at the Leisure Centre and taster for what could be to come.

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The shock wave from Steve Parillon's departure from Worthing'” having led Thunder's scoring in his last four games '” has washed up at Riverside.

His move to Belgium not materialising, Parillon has joined Thunder's rivals Reading Rockets and fronted their 91-78 win at Essex & Herts Leopards on Saturday.

Parillon, though, was not playing under Rockets coach Mark Dunning, who last week was shown the door in favour of returning international coach Dave Titmuss. Dunning was reportedly told to take on Titmuss as his No 2 or go. Dunning pointed out that, since on the Sunday before they had won the National Trophy, the club's biggest silverware, another cook might spoil the broth.

Reading owner Gary Johnson disagreed.

While Worthing regroup for their push towards play-offs home advantage from a top-four finishing spot, Division 1 is witnessing some flashpoints.

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London United lost their 10-match unbeaten record to Worcester Wolves on Saturday, then lost at home to City of Sheffield on Sunday.

Troy Selvey, from Coventry, and Steve Ogunjimi, from London Towers, have joined Essex & Herts Leopards. And another Coventry player, point-guard Matt Collins, was in the Worcester team who toppled United.

Related topics:MagicManchesterDivision 1