Overseas Events
2009 - ROCKETS TOUR
.... Another great trip to Rovinj ,Croatia and finaly that ''Victory '' against KK Rovinj...
Rochdale Rockets travelled to Croatia to play in the 7th '' Rovinj International '' Veteran’s basketball tournament , knowing they have never beaten KK Rovinj in any of there previous meetings. The host team had invited last year’s winners Puljanka Pula also from Croatia and a famous team from Italy Benetton Treviso who were the hot favourites to win the tournament.
Rochdale played the hosts KK Rovinj in the 1st game and by ½ time were losing 18-14 it looked like Rochdale were going to come second again. Rochdale started the 2nd half by immediately pulling back the deficit taking the lead by playing a fast break game which is the normal KK Rovinj tactic. The final score 43-27 in favour of Rochdale represented their first win against KK Rovinj, and a real boost for the team.
The 2nd game saw Pula play Benetton with both teams having a number of international team players in the squads. This was a close fought encounter with both teams trading baskets; the Italians leading at ½ time 29-25. The second half saw Pula ease ahead due to superior 3 point shooting eventually taking the game with a final score of 54-47.
The 3rd & 4th places were fought between KK Rovinj and Benetton with KK Rovinj winning 47-40, this was put down to Benetton having travelled to Croatia from Italy during the morning
The final was a hard fought game between Pula and Rochdale. The game started with both teams trading both 3 & 2 point baskets with the ½ time score of 26-20 in favour of Pula. The score of 49-34 saw Pula take the final due to superior 3 point shooting with Rochdale taking a well earned 2nd place..
At the reception after the tournament Rochdale presented KK Rovinj with a specially commissioned friendship cake designed and created by celebrity chef Andrew Nutter.
Thanks go to JST Active Holidays for arranging the travel itinerary for the team.
... 5 Days of Sun Sea and Basketball .....