AFTER coming up from Division Two midway through this season, St Mary’s Black has proved it can match it at the top level of the Hamilton Basketball Association (HBA), winning its third straight game in a five-point win over Tigers on Tuesday night.

After round seven, Tigers sits fourth out of the five teams and will rue this match as one that got away, while the Saints are on a hot streak having narrowly won all their games.

It was a tale of two halves with the sides matching up very evenly, Tigers got the jump in the first half and through some impressive shots from Maddison Rhook (10 points), they got out to a half-time lead of six points.

However, the second half was a different story as Saskia Gould took control of the game for St Mary’s Black cashing in at the basket on her way to an important 10-point game in reply.

Maddox Ryan also found her range from beyond the arc as she dropped two three pointers to score eight vital points.

The height of Indiana Ryan and Charlize Cooper combined for 10 points while Ruby Cleaver played a contributing role.

Despite some resistance from Maddison Cotten (six points) and Olivia Nield (four points) at the other end, the Saints controlled the entire court to come back and win 30-25 at the final buzzer.

St Mary’s Orange d. Barber Babes

THE Saints were far too strong for the struggling Barber Babes on Tuesday night smashing them to win 39-13 and cement their spot in second position.

Grace Cleaver put on a clinic, scoring 11 points to guide her side home to a comfortable 26-point win, showing her ability to move the ball and drive to the basket.

The game was always one-way traffic as St Mary’s Orange outscored their opponents 15-5 in the first half, before accelerating in the second to dominate the half 24-8.

Cleaver leads the competition in scoring having amassed 57 points in five games, her best game came last time the sides met with 20 points.

All eight of the Saints’ players scored on the night in a complete team performance, Pheobe Dunn was the other prominent scorer with seven points to her name.

The likes of Rebecca Malseed and Kira Ryan (four points each) battled hard for Barber Babes, but the side was outclassed and remains in fifth spot.

Sportscene Minders had the bye.

Men’s Division 1

St Mary’s Orange d. St Mary’s Black

IN the battle of the Saints, it was St Mary’s Orange that ran away with the points, comfortably accounting for St Mary’s Black to win by a massive 42-point margin on Wednesday night, 62-20.

St Mary’s Orange sits in third position while St Mary’s Black sits in fourth spot on the ladder.

Archie Porter was dominant for the victors dealing in three pointers, as he splashed six from beyond the arc on his way to a game-high 18 points.

The young gun is a specialist outside scorer and with 84 percent of his season points coming from downtown, he sits second in the competition for threes made with 17.

The side scored 13 threes for the match with all players heating up with ball in hand, it was a fine shooting display as Josh Hallam (11 points), Charlie Alexander (nine points) and Jack Jennings (eight points) all contribute well.

Jack Roberts (11 points) and Harlie Manson (seven points) were the standout performers for St Mary’s Black in a tough night as the pair combined for 18 of the side’s 20 points.

Minders White d. Barber Boys Black

JOSH Miller continues to dominate for Minders White this season scoring 25 points (five threes) to see his side home by 15 points against Barber Boys Black in a high scoring affair, 65-50.

Miller has already cracked the ton in points scored, after just five games and is looking to carry his side to a strong finals campaign.

The likes of Angus Hayden-Simpson (16 points) and Kyle Rhook (14 points) both had their best games of the season making an impact on the scoreboard.

The first half was pretty evenly poised before Minders put its foot down and accelerated to find some breathing room.

Despite going down at the final buzzer, there were some positives to take away from the game for Barber Boys Black, with some great individual performances.

Ryan Anton had no issues finding his way to the ring scoring 17 points for the game, while Liam MacDonald was impressive under the ring with 14 of his own.

Barber Boys Black was successful in drawing fouls all night to go to the line and convert on 11 free throws, this ability will be vital when the side finds itself in a very close game.

Barber Boys White had the bye.