Bulldogs extend fantastic run of form on jam-packed weekend

Having secured league victory over Greenwich on Saturday, Barnet outlasted London United to progress to the last 16 of the National Cup.

Will Farquharson

Winning is proving contagious in North London. After falling short against Oaklands Wolves last month, the Bulldogs have responded with five wins from five, and are looking stronger and stronger by the week.

A trip down south was first on the agenda for Barnet last weekend; Greenwich Titans the hosts. Having defeated the Titans twice last season – including a rampant 110-56 victory in December – the Bulldogs would no doubt enter the contest high on confidence.

But the first half proved more complicated than last year’s form book would have suggested. Barnet went in at the interval with the score level at 44-44, and frustrations high following some questionable refereeing decisions.

Reflecting on his side’s challenging start, captain Chuck Duru said: “The physicality of the game, I think it took us a while to adapt. And also I think the officiating . . . I hate to call out officials but it felt like we were playing seven against five”.

The Bulldogs, however, are not a team that enjoy feeling sorry for themselves and began the second half with a point to prove.

When your backs are against the wall, it certainly helps to be able to rely on a player of the quality of Vinnie Monaghan. The Australian ended the third quarter with 12 of his side’s 25 points, playing a pivotal role in establishing Barnet’s nine-point advantage heading into the fourth.

“Vinnie’s been amazing, when we recruited him we knew he was coming from a very high level in Australia . . . we knew he was going to be at least good, but we definitely didn’t think he was going to be, in my opinion one of, if not the best player in the league”, Duru lauded.

Following Monaghan’s third-quarter heroics, it was smooth sailing for the Bulldogs. Drey Brown’s 3-pointer stretched his side’s lead to 15 points with eight minutes remaining, a hill too steep for the Titans to climb. 93-77 the final score.

Fast-forward 24 hours and it was time to go again.

Barnet hosted NBL2 side, London United, on Sunday in the National Cup Round of 32. The vistors came into the cup tie in fine form, with four wins out of four in the league, as well as an impressive victory over NBL1 side, Richmond Knights, in the previous round of the competition.

But the Bulldogs would be their biggest test yet. Both teams started strongly, with Barnet flowing nicely on offence, while Rinor Dragusha led the charge for the away side with eight first-quarter points.

The second quarter, however, was where Dragusha really made the contest his own. With United down by nine following the opening frame, the 6’4” guard scored ten quick points – including a superb step-back three – to level the score at 29-29.

The away side were relying heavily on Dragusha’s individual magic though, and when the marksman eventually cooled off, their offence did too.

The Bulldogs, in contrast, have a selection of weapons they can call upon. One such example is Christian Gamble, who was excellent throughout the first half and helped restore Barnet’s lead with eight second-quarter points. In typical Christian Gamble fashion, he let the opposition know about it too, exchanging pleasantries with Dragusha after a United timeout was called to stop the bleeding.

“We’ve got so many guys that can come in and impact the game, and I think that’s where we’re strongest. I liken our team to the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr used to say strength in numbers, that was always their thing”, Duru noted.

With Barnet back in control, the second half only ever felt like it was heading one way, but the vistors had other ideas. After a free-scoring first-half, the third quarter was a scrappier affair.

Monaghan and Sable Cooper both remonstrated with the officials on separate occasions over missed calls, the former of whom received a technical foul for his complaints. By the end of the third, the Bulldogs found themselves up by ten, but far from out of sight.

As has been the case all season though, Barnet thrive in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs began the final frame with a swift 9-0 run, while United looked like they were running out of gas as several of their jumpshots fell short.

With Barnet now pulling away, Lemar Clarke entered the fray, and repaid his coach’s trust with two pretty layups. Clarke contributed to his side’s 27-point final quarter, with Barnet ending the contest as 90-76 winners and progressing to the last 16, where they will face league rivals Sussex Storm.