Saints hope to make home advantage count in Scottish Cup

Jan 30 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

TWO teams at St Mirren Basketball Club will be hoping to make home advantage count when they negotiate important Scottish Cup semi-final fixtures next month.

The draw has been made for the last four of this season’s competition and from the three Buddies teams still remaining, two of them were handed home ties.

A club spokesman said: “We got two home ties out of three with the Cadet Men the only team having to travel. They are away to Troon, where they won 83-66 in November.

“Coach Craig Chambers’ boys will travel confidently but they will be well aware of the dangers that are always encountered at Marr College.”

The Cadette Women face old foes City of Edinburgh Kool Kats and the Junior Women face Glasgow City, with both these games of at home.

The games will be played during the weekend of Friday, February 19, with tip-off times to be confirmed.

The National Cup finals will take place in Edinburgh over the last weekend in March.

The Saints, meanwhile, are back to the bread-and-butter fixtures of the National League this weekend.

A club spokesman said: “The fixture list has fallen kindly for us this weekend and that allows us to have four back-to-back games this Saturday at Linwood.

“From 10.45am to 6.30pm we’re promised a thrilling day’s basketball.

“Flasks of coffee and sandwiches will be essential for those dedicated enough to stay all day.”

First up are National League leaders the Reid Kerr College Cadette Women who face Perth Phoenix, and next on court are the Junior Men to face Glasgow Rens.

The Rens are also the opponents for St Mirren Cadet Men, who are pushing towards the league title and who will be going all out for a win.

The last game of the day sees the Senior Men face East Lothian Peregrines.

The spokesman said: “This will be a good game as we look to hang on in there in the title race.

“Tomorrow at Linwood the Junior Men are in action again in a re-arranged fixture against City of Edinburgh Kings.

“Colin Haldane’s team will be out for revenge after losing to Kings in the Scottish Cup last weekend.”