Sheffield Sharks enjoyed a winning start to the BBL Championship campaign at the expense of Edinburgh Rocks, the Scots tumbling to a 81-69 defeat at Meadowbank. Yet it was typical first day fayre from both sides, passes and shots which would normally find their intended mark instead falling astray, the rustiness of summer yet to shake itself off.

And although there were signals that the defensive initiatives of new Rocks coach Greg Lockridge might put their opponents under sustained pressure, offensively the capital outfit were completely out-shone by the current National Cup holders who have retained an experienced nucleus from last term. 

"I thought we played extremely well," declared Sharks chief Chris Finch afterward. "Not everything we did was pretty but the guys controlled the game."

The Rocks did sparkle briefly early on, new arrival Chris Junge hitting six quickfire points as the hosts ran into a 13-9 lead midway through the opening quarter. However Sheffield quickly settled into their habitual rhythm and despite the absence through injury of their starting pair Terrell Myers (hamstring) and Richard Windle (torn calf), they were quickly able to surge ahead with a 10-0 run.

Too often thereafter, chances went begging, the Rocks consistently committing the sin of giving away the ball to their opponents who gratefully capitalised. Seven further unanswered points in the second period extend the guests’ advantage into double figures and when Mike Payne buried a three pointer just as the half-time buzzer sounded, Sheffield entered the break up 40-29.

Lockridge continuously shuffled his line up in an effort to unearth potential combinations on the floor,  Scottish cap Keith Bunyan belatedly finding his scoring touch off the bench. But with Sharks’ Nate Reinking on his way to a game-high 25 points, the game began to decisively slip in the Yorkshire side’s favour.

Debutants Junge and Gaylon Moore experienced an awkward initiation to the British League but came good in the final quarter, the American pairing each finishing on 16 points. It was a tally matched by the returning Ted Berry, but Edinburgh’s sole recognisable star received extra special attention from Sheffield’s disciplined roster and he could not provide his normal spark. 

“You can’t forget that these guys have only had a few practices so far,” petitioned Lockridge afterwards. “When fatigue sets in, many things fall off. We didn’t have problems getting shots tonight but we did have trouble making. We didn’t perform well but I think it’s early. If were 12 games in then I’d be worried. Although I’m concerned about certain aspects, I’m confident we’ll get better.”