LAST Saturday night the WildCats' adopted Geordie Chris McCormick reverted to his old position of point guard and turned in his best performance in a Bury vest.

Travelling to Cardiff for a top five encounter against the first division's leading scorers Bury were not intimidated.

The pack took the game to the Phoenix and by the end of the first quarter Bury were leading 22-17.

But Cardiff's greater all-round strength finally told when Nigerian Derrick Izilein converted several offensive boards to give his side a slender 37-39 lead at half-time.

Within five minutes of the re-start Phoenix had opened up a double-digit lead and began to go for outrageous slam-dunks.

Continuing to play a strong defense the WildCats ignored their opponents' showtime tactics and gradually cut the deficit.

A big McCormick three-pointer and two long, coast-to-coast drives by Ian Howard made it 58-64 at the beginning of the final quarter.

Then with only two minutes remaining McCormick forced his way through the Cardiff defences to make a succession of points that tied the scores.

A Matthew Hall '3' restored the Phoenix lead, then a sudden nine-point spell destroyed any hopes WildCats might have had as Cardiff ran out 76-85 winners.

This Saturday the WildCats are at home to Solwent Stars, tip-off 7.30pm at the Castle Leisure Centre.

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