Plymouth Marjon give up on race for EBL Division Two South league title
MARJON boss Matt Hatchell threw in the towel on the race for the league title after his side narrowly lost at London Greenhouse Pioneers.
The city side had hopes of winning English Basketball Division Three (South) – but Marjon will now have to rely on the play-offs if they want promotion.
They will be guaranteed a place in the division's top four – who will contest the end of season promotion scrap – if they win both their remaining matches this weekend.
Pioneers are four points behind the city side and can catch Marjon if the Plymouth team fail to beat them at Tor Bridge High on Saturday.
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The following day, the city team face Hackney White Heat on home territory at Marjon.
The top four in the South division take on their opposite Northern numbers in the play-offs, with the winners securing promotion.
Hatchell said he felt his team's chance of winning the division had gone.
He said: "We lost 63-60 at London Greenhouse– it was just one of those days where things went wrong.
"There was a diversion on the motorway on the way back and we ended up getting back home at 1.45am.
"I was really glad I wasn't one of the lads who had to go to work next day."
Hatchell said Marjon had started the game well, winning the first quarter 27-14.
But they lost the second quarter 19-11, the third 10-6 and the fourth 20-15.
It was a long way home for the city side, who Hatchell said could have jumped to as high as second place in the table if they had won.
Hatchell said: "I was pleased with our performance, although I'm going to make some adjustments (to the team) before we play London on Saturday.
"It's been a really good season, although we're getting to that time when I'll be glad when it's all over.
"The advantage of winning the league is that you do your play-off games at home.
"But we can forget about winning the title after losing in London over the weekend.
"You never know, though, I believe on our day we are capable of beating anyone.
"And I think that if we keep the guys we've got in the team at the moment, then we'll do very well next season."
Top scorer for Plymouth against London Greenhouse was Mark Gillbard, who netted 18 points.
Following him were Mike Czynienik with 14 and Shane Hennessey with 11.
Marjon take on Pioneers at Tor Bridge High on Saturday at 5.30pm.
The following day sees the city side tackle Hackney at Marjon (3pm).
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