By Sam Phillips

Forestville Eagles 79 | Norwood Flames 78

Forestville has defeated Norwood by the narrowest of margins, regaining the lead late to win 79-78.

In what was the match of the round, a fast paced start helped warm up the crowd on a bitterly cold evening at Mars Sporting Complex.

Trent Fildes looked lively for Forestville picking up 5 points, while Matt Long did well to find space inside a congested key, collecting 6 points in the first for Norwood.

Charles Newland hit an unlikely half court shot on the buzzer, silencing the home crowd. The momentum and the lead firmly with Forestville, 29-21 at the break.

Norwood started the second quarter with intent, going on an 8-0 run, climaxing in a great defensive block by Ben Howell followed by a long Ian O’Boyle 3 pointer- leaving it 29-29.

Forestville responded with a 7-0 run, to take back the advantage. Adam Doyle (9 rebounds, 10 points) was down on his usual points output but his 7 rebounds for the half were valuable in allowing Forestville to maintain pressure and pick up some second chance points. Norwood looked more balanced after a timeout but still trailed by 4 at half time.

With 3 minutes to go in the third, Forestville had extended their lead to 11 after Jake Rios (20 points, 8 rebounds) pulled up a nice 3 pointer.

Despite the lead, many felt that it was only a matter time before Norwood would once again push Forestville, leaving the match far from over. Daniel Webber had a fantastic second half, picking up 13 points and a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) helping Norwood stay in the contest.

On the back of a tech foul and repeat efforts at the line, Norwood had reduced the margin to just 6 at the final change, 60-66.

Lead by the ever reliable and tireless Matt Lycett (19 points, 13 rebounds), one of Norwood’s best for the night, Forestville’s lead gradually evaporated and left a tense finish inevitable. With just under a minute to go, Norwood led by a single basket, 78-76.

Trent Fildes (20 points, 10 rebounds) arguably Forestville’s best, once again found himself at the foul line and was able to make one of his free throws.

Forestville then forced a turnover, allowing Brad Haydon space to put them ahead, 79-78 with 3.1 seconds to go. Norwood crucially missed a last chance effort off the inbound, handing Forestville a well-deserved victory, albeit in tighter than desirable circumstances.

In such a tight match, both teams could be pleased with a range of contributors in what was thoroughly entertaining basketball.

Forestville have well and truly staked their claim for a final berth, however the ultimate challenge comes next week against the league leading Southern Tigers.

Round 14: Saturday, 25 June, 8:15pm

Forestville Eagles v Southern Tigers @ Wayville

North Adelaide Rockets v Norwood Flames @ Hillcrest