England Basketball League Division 2: Kent Crusaders 83, Taunton Tigers 73.

TAUNTON Tigers went down away to Kent Crusaders 83-73 as their injury worries turned to crisis.

The trip to Canterbury against the joint title favourites (alongside Derby) with a depleted squad was always going to be a tough challenge for the Tigers. It was Taunton, however, buoyed by their away win against Leicester the previous weekend, who made the best start. Joe Andrews and Richard Anderson (19pts) both scored freely in the early exchanges.

With the Crusaders rightly concerned about the Tigers three-point threat they pushed out defensively only to leave gaps for Anderson and Andrews to drive to the basket.

Despite giving away height and weight to Kent, Taunton defended their own basket with pride and intensity. As a consequence, Kent relied heavily on Jessop and Davison making long range jump-shots which meant the Tigers could stay close throughout the first half.

After the break, double disaster stuck for Taunton. First, aggressive forward Mike Sebire aggravated a foot injury and had to sit the game out which inevitably weakened their inside resistance defensively. Then Andrews, Tigers' most influential player again this year, landed awkwardly after a rebound, tearing ankle ligaments.

Taunton had to play the remainder of the game with seven players of whom only three were fully fit.

Defensive bravery coupled with continued offensive confidence by the Tigers' younger players kept them in the game right to the end. Alistair Bird (20pts) and Joe Saunders (18pts) (pictured) made five three-pointers each to keep Taunton in the game but they inevitably tired towards the end.

With only three fully fit players Taunton have taken the unprecedented step of withdrawing from their National League knock-out cup round three tie against Coventry this Sunday.

Coach Ronnie Heath explained: "We really felt we had a genuine chance against Coventry, my home club, who have struggled in Division 1 this year.

"But we already have a huge long-term injury list and it would have meant me asking other players, themselves carrying injuries, to play big minutes. That would not have been fair to the individuals or the club's chances in Division 2 this year."