THORNLEIGH lost their second league game of the season to Egerton Canute from Knutsford 55-92.

This was a possible win game for the home side with a full squad but injuries and work commitments reduced the squad on the night to just five players.

With no bench, the players had to take care on defence and conserve energy in offense in order to last the full game.

The full strength squad of the visitors proved too much for the home side and whilst only 20 points separated the sides at half time, tiring legs and foul trouble meant the visitors from Cheshire could play a full court press on defence and a rapid fast break on offense.

Credit must go to Canute for resisting the urge to showboat in the last quarter and they continued to play fast aggressive basketball up to the final whistle.

For Thornleigh Gary Strong was outstanding, he was the main focus of the offense and his tireless work throughout the game resulted in a superb total of 25 points.

He was supported by Phil Garrigan 15pts, Neil McCabe 11 pts and Phil Chanin four points made up the home side's total.