LANCASHIRE Spinners basketball club general manager Ken Masser believes their Patrons Cup win last week will drive the club forward for further success this season.

The Bury-based side recorded an emphatic 118-86 victory against highly rated London Lituanica on Saturday who are also one of their Division Two league title contenders.

Masser said: “I’m delighted for Steve and John and all the players. They’ve worked hard this year and deserve their success.

“We were pretty dominant against a very good Lituanica team. Lituanica don’t get beaten like that very often if ever.

“I think we’ve put a marker down to show what we’re capable of and now the players have to strive to emulate that kind of performance for the rest of the season, and hopefully in division 1 next year.

“It’s a huge moment for the club and its right that we recognise all our sponsors and supporters today. We wouldn’t be able to compete in these competitions and enjoy these moments if it wasn’t for the support we enjoy from our partners.”

The Spinners will be presented with the Patron’s Cup trophy at their next home game, this Saturday, against Loughborough Student Riders.

But the Spinners did not have it all their own way as they fell 17-8 behind.

Mark Rangeley and Kenny Ogunneye came off the bench mid-way through the first to spark a mini revival to get the Spinners back on terms late in the first quarter.

During the run, Ogunneye finished a huge follow up slam dunk, drawing the foul in the process and followed up his own offensive rebound to pass to Ty Taiwo to score.

From there, the Spinners finished the first quarter in front and dominated the second quarter as Josh Houghton went off from downtown hitting four of his five three point attempts in the first half, with team captain Aitor Estrada adding two more threes to enjoy a 55-41 lead at half time.

In the second half, great defensive possessions led to steals and fast break layups as Steven Gayle and Rangeley seemed to score effortlessly in transition for a combined 44 points in the game (22 apiece).

In the fourth quarter Conor Porter hit two three pointers and dishing out four assists. Anthony Kuczaj made his comeback from injury with an impressive 10 points in just six minutes playing time, shooting 4/5 from the field.

The explosive Ogunneye scored14 points, 14 rebounds and three huge blocks, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Yomi Taiwo who added six points and 7 rebounds.

Player/Coach Steven Gayle was crowned Man of the Match with 22 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and seven steals.