VICTORY tastes that much sweeter when achieved against all the odds and there was a pride of Wildcats enjoying a remarkable success over on of their closest rivals.

With their squad decimated by injuries and illnesses there were only six available WildCats for the long haul to deepest Devon. Forced back into action following a lengthy lay-off Richard Moses led his apprehensive yet determined pack of WildCats into a game that would go a long way in deciding who would be in the end of season play offs. Until recently the Raiders had been invincible at the Mayflower Centre and have a reputation for high scoring encounters mixed with strong aggressive basketball. Bury were unable to compete on the same terms as the Raiders as they couldn't take the risk of anyone getting into foul trouble.

Pacing themselves right from the start Bury took the first quarter honours topped off by a Scott Summersgill three-pointer.

The Raiders launched wave upon wave of attacks winning most of the offensive boards converting many of their extra opportunities.

Scott Summersgill stunned the noisy Raiders fans with another long range attempt. As the ball ricocheted off the rim the impish WildCat leapt high in the air to collect the rebound. His hovering hang-time catch and 12 jump shot before he touched the ground again brought gasps of admiration from all around the Mayflower centre.

The score helped to push Bury ten points clear before the Raiders regrouped and led by former England under 22 International, Danny James, the interval lead was down to a single point, 42-41.

Although Bury extended early in the second half the Raiders American import Ted Hotaling carved his way through the WildCats defence and by the beginning of the final quarter Bury trailed 52-57.

A lot of teams would have crumbled at this point but not these WildCats. Instead of taking the tough shot Richard Moses unlocked the Raiders defence with some sharp incisive passes inside the key to an unmarked team-mate to make the easy score. Chris McCormick continued his rich vein of scoring form as he powered his way to the basket either making the score of being fouled in the process.

In a glorious two minute spell the WildCats hit eight unanswered points regaining the lead which they never relinquished. With Scott Summersgill dealing with the intense pressure Bury broke the full court press to keep their noses in front as the game entered its final stages.

Leading 75-72 with two minutes to play all the WildCats tremendous efforts could have been in vain but two back door scores by Ian Howard and Stu Jackson created some valuable breathing space.

Keeping their mental discipline and shape Bury ran the clock down forcing the Raiders to foul to try and get the ball back. Resolute shooting by Scott Summersgill and Richard Moses pushed the WildCats ten points clear.

Only a last gasp score by Ted Hotaling, while the WildCats were already celebrating their remarkable victory, made the final score 82-74.

Such was the measure of their success the WildCats had to go through almost another three periods of overtime when they were surrounded by hordes of Raiders supporters wanting autographs.

Scott Summersgill led the Bury scoring with 26 valuable points just edging out Chris McCormick who hit 22 and collected 14 rebounds.

The WildCats face a daunting double header this weekend. Saturday sees the visit of the most famous player in modern English basketball as Alton Byrd leads his all conquering Crystal Palace to the Castle Leisure Centre for a 7.30 tip off.

The Londoners are the current League Champions and are close to retaining that title. They recently achieved back to back National Trophy victories at a sell our Sheffield Arena and have proved to be one of the top four basketball teams in England when they reached the semi-finals of the National Cup before being beaten by the Budweiser League Champions the Sheffield Sharks.

In addition the WildCats face another tough encounter on Sunday when they travel to the third place Are Rebels who have only lost one home game all season.

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