There are many unknowns about the Cardiff Met Archers but what Blackburn College coach Danny Byrne does know is his team is playing well when it matters – now.
And it will have to carry that confidence to South Wales where the Spinners will face No. 1 seed Cardiff Met Archers in the first-round of the National Men’s Development League on Saturday.
“We had a strong end to the regular season, where, had we been slightly quicker out of the blocks could’ve finished as champions,” said centre Jamie MacGregor. “We need to continue to carry the belief we can beat anyone into the playoffs.”
The Spinners (13-3 NWDL) finished the season on a four game winning streak – excluding two forfeits by opponents – and they’ve not lost since Jan. 17 at Prestons College, scoring 86.5 points in the process.
And more impressively, they did it returning just two players.
“The playoffs are a reward for the hard work the boys have put in,” said head coach Byrne.
Cardiff (15-5 SWDL), who was relegated from Division 3 last year, is the region’s highest scoring offence at 80.8 points per game but saw its nine-game winning streak end in a 20-point defeat to Sporting Club Albion on Mar. 13.
Blackburn will be without forward Craig Inness who injured his ankle and is still 2-3 weeks away from returning.
But they are boosted by the play of Division One experienced players Josh Houghton and Conor Porter. The two played crucial parts in the Lancashire Spinners team that won the Patrons Cup and secured promotion in 2015, eventually making it to the Division 2 playoff finals.
“We’re a talented bunch and can do well as long as we stay focussed,” said guard Porter, who joined the team in January. “We have the ability to make a deep run.”
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