A STRONG START FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE MENS TEAM!

Final score: Moy Tolka Rovers 79-68 Portlaoise Panthers Half time score: Moy Tolka Rovers 39-34 Portlaoise Panthers Venue: Tolka Rovers Sports Complex Top Scorer: Matt Treacy - 24 Top Assister: Elijah Faapito - 5 Top Rebounder: Matt Treacy - 17 Player of the Game: Matt Treacy

The wait is finally over, Tolka Nation.

Our National League mens team took the court on Saturday in Tolka in what was an exhilarating match! Nerves and tensions were high to start, the lads had a shaky start to the game with Portlaoise taking an early lead. It was Marcus Black who scored the first basket for Tolka and led the charge. He had an excellent game, running the show at the point guard position while being an intimidating menace on defence as per. The highlight of the first-half was definitely Michael Bonaparte's full-court pass to Ramunas Ramanauskas for an easy layup. The first quarter finished 18-20 for Portlaoise.

In the second quarter the lads played more aggressively with Elijah Faapito, Dan Heaney, Michael Bonaparte, Daniel Ayoade, Zach Bates and Matt Treacy all getting to the free-throw line. Three-pointers from Treacy and Ayoade, tenacious team defence and a strong "and-one" finish from Heaney, saw the team up 5 at the half.

A strong second-half start led to Tolka building a strong double-digit lead. Offensively Treacy and Bonaparte were unguardable, Treacy used his height and strength to post-up his smaller defender to get to the basket for some easy buckets while "Magic Mike" Bonaparte brought out his unmatched experience to outmanoeuvre his defender on numerous occasions.

With a few minutes to go, Portlaoise went on a small run bringing the lead back down to single digits , it was at this moment where Elijah Faapito decided to take-over. The young 19 year old, used his speed to get by his defender numerous times for some acrobatic finishes including a nasty spin-move. In the end , a clutch jumper from Rory Howe and a three from Conor Liston sealed the game-off for Tolka. A solid performance from the Boys against a tough opposition!

It was fantastic to see a full-crowd in Tolka and hopefully we can get the same next in our first "Double Header". Tickets will be out soon!