The Norwood Flames are back on top of the CABL ladder following their 81-74 victory over Forestville at Wayville on Saturday.

The Flames had a 19 point advantage midway through the third period, but it could not be Norwood versus Forestville without a huge run from the losing side.

Led by Nic Blair and Majok Deng, the Eagles stormed back to within two points on a number of occasions, but blew several opportunities to either tie or take the lead.

A couple of huge plays from Andrew Webber and David Cooper kept Forestville at bay, before Todd Matthews scored two free throws with 26 seconds remaining to seal the game.

Cooper was sensational throughout the night, taking advantage of the absence of Eagles starting centre Neil Mottram to post 22 points (5/10 FG, 11/12 FT), 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks, while drawing 9 fouls.

Matthews was as important as ever, coming up with some huge plays late in the game.

The star Point Guard finished with 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.

As a team, the Flames won the battle of the boards 52-39.

Andrew Webber scored 22 points, while Daniel Webber had 14 points, 10 of which came in the second quarter.

Nick Hambour added 12 points.

For Forestville, Rashad Tucker had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 7 steals, but his poor free throw shooting (5/12) was critical.

As a team, the Eagles shot just 48% (12-25) from the foul-line, compared to 81% (22/27) from Norwood.

There were 44 fouls called in the game, 11 of which were drawn by Tucker and 5 of which were called against the same player.

Blair finished just shy of a triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and also 3 steals.

Blair had 6 points, 2 assists and 3 steals in the fourth quarter.

Deng equalled his career-high 8 points, 6 of which came in the final period.

The young centre also had 2 offensive rebounds and 2 blocks, while hustling hard defensively.

Brad Haydon scored 9 points, while Brad Sullivan (19 ppg) played a season-low 21 minutes and scored just 6 points.

After scores were tied at 16 after 10 minutes, Norwood took control early in the second period and maintained it for the entirety of the quarter.

The Flames led by 11 on two occasions before settling for a nine point half-time lead.

Their defence was sensational with four blocked shots, including three from Cooper, which ignited the Norwood cheer squad in the top left corner of the stadium.

Cooper also had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Matthews and Daniel Webber were also prominent, with Forestville unable to break down Norwood’s full court press.

Within 4.45 of the third quarter, the Flames’ lead had increased to 19 points.

In the thick of the action was Corey Ottey, whose defence set the tone for his team.

Ottey was causing Rashad Tucker much frustration, although his on-the-edge defence eventually went a little too far when he picked up three fouls in the space of five seconds.

Cooper was all over the boards and drew several fouls, Andrew Webber and Matthews were pesky on defence, and the Eagles did not look like scoring, as Norwood went on a 14-4 run.

Forestville scored the next eight points to get within 11, but the Flames steadied through a purple patch from Andrew Webber to hold a 63-51 lead at the end of three.

It looked as though the recent run of close games between these teams would finally come to a halt, especially when Coach Andy Simons emptied his bench at the start of the fourth.

However, with little-used Deng, Charles Newland and Tim Smyth joining Blair and James Boonstoppel on the floor, the Eagles were the most energetic they had been all night and quickly fought their way back into the contest.

Forestville’s 1-2-2 trap finally began to work, with Hambour throwing the ball away on back-to-back possessions.

With Andrew Webber and Cooper off, the Eagles got back to within seven, but when they returned, it was much the same story.

When the Flames did get a shot up, it was contested late in the shot clock, made evident by Deng’s block on Webber’s tough tier drop.

Both coaches had plenty to say to the referees all night, but it was Norwood’s Brad Davidson who eventually copped a tech.

With 6.09 remaining, Blair scored to make it 64-66.

However, a series of missed opportunities allowed the Flames to hold on.

Firstly, a missed boxout allowed Cooper to score off an offensive rebound.

Blair scored again, but then had a wide open shot rim out that would have tied the game.

After Blair blocked Cooper, Smyth was fouled, but missed two free throws, although Deng pulled down the offensive rebound.

Unguarded 10 seconds later, Deng put up a three-pointer for the lead, which would have been the first of his career, only for the ball to bounce around the rim and out.

Boonstoppel missed with another chance to tie, before Tucker grabbed an o-board of his own.

Unaware of what was behind him, Matthews picked the ball off the import, and the Flames scored for some more breathing space.

After Blair hit Deng to again close the gap to two with 1.32 remaining, the Eagles were hit with an all too familiar fate; Andrew Webber knocking down a clutch trey.

Tucker cut the deficit to three, before Cooper scored two more second-chance points for a five point game.

Another basket from Tucker again reduced the margin to three, this time with 27 seconds remaining.

In this situation, Forestville could either foul early to stop the clock, or play one defensive possession and hope for a stop, with just enough time to get off a shot.

The Eagles chose to foul Matthews, who coolly netted both shots to the delight of the Norwood fans.

In the end, the Flames held on to reverse their Round 6 result.

Norwood verdict: The Flames played some great basketball early in the piece which allowed them to gain a match-winning advantage. They bounced back nicely after last week’s defeat, although they can consider themselves lucky that the Eagles missed so many free throws and open shots. Norwood has four games remaining, starting with Woodville at home next week, then a double against South and Centrals, and finally West at home. There are a couple of tough games there, but the Flames should be able to wrap up the Minor Premiership.

Forestville verdict: The Eagles will be pleased with the way they fought back from the deficit the way they did, but will be disappointed not to have won the game in the end. The most positive aspect was the performances of youngsters Deng, Newland and Smyth in their time on the court, who really stood up to their more experienced opponents. This game did show how important Mottram is to the Forestville front-line, who were well-beaten on the interior. In the run home, the Eagles’ have Eastern away, Centrals at home and North away, so should be able to hold off West for a home Qualifying Final.

By James Woite