ANOTHER scintillating win by leaders Lancashire Spinners on Saturday night left the Bury-based team in an excellent position to win promotion to England’s top division.

Over the last six months the EBL Division Two side have progressed from being league newcomers to being one of the favourites for the title.

The visit of third-placed Ipswich at the weekend presented one the Spinners’ toughest challenges but having secured a 98-92 victory, player coach Steven Gayle was ecstatic.

“What an amazing game. Ipswich were fantastic and we had to be on top form to hold them off.

“They shot unbelievably well and the young lads in particular should be really proud of their performances.

“I’ve been saying it all season – we’ve got a deep talented team.

“There’s not just me and Josh Houghton. Steve Vaughan is the best big guy in the league. No question, while Conor is the best defender in the league.

“Mark Rangeley is arguably one of the best transition two way players out there –he’s so hard to stop when he’s attacking the basket.

“If we keep playing together and sacrificing for each other we’ll continue to be successful.”

The Spinners were without last week’s star performer Yomi Taiwo and experienced forward Tom Sutton, who would have played a crucial role guarding Leigh Greenan and Sadler, but were otherwise at full strength.

In the first quarter the Spinners started well with both Gayle and Houghton connecting on three pointers early on.

Tom Sadler had the hot hand for the away team and the Spinners led 31-28 at the end of the first.

In the second quarter it was Spinners 6’10, 22-year old-centre Steven Vaughan who set the game alight.

Not only was he stifling Greenan with terrific defence but scored repeatedly both inside and out.

Greenan is often quoted as the most dominant player in the league, but Vaughan completely dominated the matchup as he did in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

At half time, the Spinners led by nine points and stretched their lead to as many as 17 midway through the fourth quarter.

Gayle and Houghton played well (finishing with 27 and 16 points respectively) and were ably supported by Rangeley and Porter who both scored in double figures.

in the closing few minutes Ipswich threatened to come back and steal the game hitting multiple contested three pointers but the experienced Spinners back court secured the game from the free throw line to close out the game 98-92.

The Spinners turn their attentions to Saturday’s Patrons Cup National Final and a trip to Leeds to face London Lituanica in Leeds.

For ticket details email Ken Masser at ken.masser@ lancashirespinners.co.uk.