Up for It:
Finch rallies troops
for final furlong
Mark Woods
With less than six weeks remaining in the
Budweiser League season, the race to inherit the title monopolised in recent
seasons by the Leopards is down to a two horse race. Manchester v Sheffield.
Giants v Sharks, Nurse v Finch.
Over in the eastern side of the Pennines,
Sheffield's youthful playcaller Chris Finch is in his second year at the
helm but acting like a veteran, leading his team to the best win-loss record
so far and picking up the Sainsbury's Cup en route.
Even when the Sharks put the Uniball Trophy
in their cabinet last March, the doubters were offering their theories
that the affable Ohio-native couldn't handle a team on a consistent basis.
This year, he's proved them all wrong and some. Myers et al are the team
of the season. No doubt, despite their narrow exit from the Trophy
at the semi-final passage. But what will the Minister Finch be preaching
to maintain their pole position right through to that first week in April
when the chequered flag comes down ?
"For me it's mental toughness. We've proven
we have the talent, we certainly have the depth, we have the experience,
the intelligence. We feel we've got the system and what we have to do is
put it all together. What helps us to do that is by staying focused and
mentally tough."
"That means when you're up by ten points,
doing the right things to go up 15 and when you're down 10, chipping away
and being smart. There are no Denver Nuggets in the Budweiser League. There
are no given games. You have to recognise that as well."
Last season, Finch sometimes had the aura
of a man weary of imposing his will on veterans who were perhaps even sceptical
of a man who had literally just unlaced his playing sneakers at their side.
Finch admits mistakes were made but like any good teacher, the learning
path is ongoing. What lessons has he taken from the last 18 months that
will take the team to a Championship?
"I'm learning all the time and I made three
crucial mistakes during our recent loss to Thames Valley that I won't make
again. I hope to keep applying that experience game after game. What I
really have is the faith in my guys to get it done on the court. I believe
in preparation, I believe in working hard and training hard and so that
application fits naturally into a game."
"I'm not a big believer that I can have
a lot of influence over a game once game day comes. I want them to be ready
when they go to play a game because they're the ones who have to sort out
all the problems. "
With a run in which includes just three
more home matches, Sharks must be road warriors to secure a first crown
since 1995. In their a variety of teams from both ends of the table. However
most people are looking at their remaining double headers against their
sole title rivals as the key. Is it that particular head to head
with Giants that will decide things ?
"The head to head is very very important
in deciding the league title," admits Finch. "There's absolutely no doubt
about that. But unless we take care of business between now and then, those
games won't mean a whole lot. So we're trying to stay focused on the next
person in front of us. And not just beating them but beating them by the
margin we think we deserve."
There are so many variables: injuries,
off nights, John White to yet declare Finch's Sharks of 1999 as the uncrowned
kings of the campaign. However one unmoveable set in stone thing. The coach
is ready and his players better be also..or else.
