Rossendale Raptors started their season with potentially the toughest fixture of the year away at last season’s runners-up, Derby Trailblazers.
The Raptors have had a productive off season, signing a number of new players, as well as securing the majority of last season’s squad.
Star player Steven Gayle has returned for another year, as well as last season’s winter transfer window signing Anthony Kuscaz who starred for the last few games of last season.
New players include experienced point game James Smith, and 6’7” big man Phil
Hargreaves who has signed from Preston.
The Raptors travelled to Derby for the early tip-off, and jumped straight into a good lead as the pre-season training seemed to be paying dividends. However, Derby fought back through the first half as each of the Raptors players got good playing time so that coach Fry could assess some of the new players. By half time, Derby had a 46-37 lead.
In the second half, the raptors more experienced players took to the fore, and Steven Gayle started to take control of the game.
Midway through the second half, Gayle hit three consecutive three pointers in three consecutive possessions to level the game, and from their Raptors didn’t look back. The game ended with an exciting 87-83 win for the Raptors.
Coach Fry said: “It’s a great result, and a good performance to open the season.”