Who is Mum supporting tonight?

Nobody quite knows how or why this bitter rivalry has developed but take my word for it, neither of these teams will be taking any prisoners during the 4 quarters (if no overtime) to be played out tonight.

So what is it like when the Sheffield Sharks take on their bitter rivals the Newcastle Eagles? Well for fans of the teams there is no doubt that they want to win, but for one mum this is, and always will, be a most difficult game.

As you enter the fabulous English Institute of Sport (EIS) you will go past the ticket sales table and then the concession stand selling hotdogs, coke, diet coke, biscuits etc. Opposite the concession stand is the merchandise stand and looking after this is Sandra Round.

Sandra is a volunteer with the Sheffield Sharks and her daughter Alison works for the organisation as their Education Manager. Sandra has been a fan of the Sharks for a number of years.

The problem arises because her son, Alison’s brother, Andrew, is the captain of the visiting Newcastle Eagles.

Bridgey as he is known to almost everyone, is fast becoming a legend in British Basketball and has lifted more trophies than any other captain in recent years in the BBL.

It all started so differently as he began to play ball with the Mansfield Express back in the day before he was spotted by Chris Finch, the then Head Coach of the Sheffield Sharks. He was quickly drafted in the team and began to get good minutes at Ponds Forge, the then home of the Sharks.

It was during this time that his mum Sandra and his younger sister Alison began to support the Sharks. Alison was soon added to the staff and Sandra joined the fantastic volunteer force of the Sheffield Sharks.

Back in these days the Sharks were probably the most successful team in the BBL lifting trophy after trophy and to put it mildly, all was good in the Bridge household.

But Andrew wanted more, so when he was offered a place in the Newcastle Eagles team he jumped at the opportunity.

It was obvious that the Eagles would be the next team to dominate in British basketball.

Head Coach Fab Flournoy had began to put together an awesome team including point guard TJ Walker (a mikeshaft.com favourite), Charles Smith and Jeremy Hyatt one of the hottest shooters in the business.

Of course Fab, one of the most tenacious defenders in the league and also a former Shark’s player would also be taking to the court in his player/coach role.

But now it is 2009 and the 9/10 BBL season. As I write, the Sharks are top of the BBL with a 5 and 1 record and now hot on their tails are the Newcastle Eagles who are 4 and 1. One of these teams will go to and 2 after this game and Sandra will be watching on with interest. But it won’t be easy.

Speaking exclusively to mikeshaft.com Sandra was being philosophical, “A son who plays for Newcastle Eagles, a daughter who works behind the scenes for the Sheffield Sharks, a difficult situation to be in when these to side face each other” So who does she want to win? She continued, “I try and stay neutral and have always said the team who plays the best on the night deserves the win.”

She doesn’t admit it, but I have it on good authority that she actually hates it when these teams play against each other because one of her kids will be on the losing side.

But to look at it another way which ever side wins Sandra Round will be able to celebrate, either with Andrew or with Alison.

Unfortunately for the rest of the fans at the EISS, if this game goes against their team there will be no celebrating to be done until the teams meet next time, and hopefully the scores are reversed.

There will be other stories to unfold tonight. Shark’s legend Lynard Stewart now plays for the Eagles while one of their biggest stars of last season made the move to the Sharks. His name is Tafari “TAP” Toney. Todd Cauthorn, who was inspirational back in the day when the Sharks were dominant, is now back in the Sharks’ fold and doing a great job for Head Coach Atiba Lyons.

Bragging rights are at stake. Sheffield or Newcastle, only one city will be celebrating after this next encounter in this delightful rivalry.

Later

Mike S