La Bruixa d'Or Manresa delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Cheshire Phoenix 113-91 in a high-scoring Club Friendship clash on Sunday evening. The Spanish side set the tone early and never looked back, overwhelming their British visitors with a relentless offensive display that left Phoenix chasing shadows from the opening quarter.

Match Overview

From the first tip-off, Manresa looked sharp. The home side raced to a double-digit lead within the first six minutes, using a blend of aggressive full-court pressure and crisp ball movement to carve open the Cheshire defence. By halftime, the lead had stretched beyond twenty points, and although Phoenix showed brief sparks of resistance in the third quarter, Manresa’s depth and shooting accuracy proved too much. The final 113-91 scoreline reflected not just a victory, but a statement of intent from a team clearly in mid-season form.

Key Moments

• First-quarter burst: Manresa opened the game with a 15-2 run, capitalising on three consecutive turnovers from Cheshire and knocking down four early three-pointers.
• Second-quarter response: Phoenix cut the deficit to 11 points midway through the second quarter, but Manresa answered with a 9-0 spurt sparked by a thunderous dunk and a pair of transition triples.
• Third-quarter kill shot: Any hopes of a Phoenix comeback were extinguished after the interval, as Manresa outscored their opponents 31-20 in the third frame, pushing the lead past thirty points.

Tactical Story

Manresa’s game plan was built on tempo and spacing. They attacked the rim relentlessly, drawing fouls and kicking out to open shooters when the defence collapsed. Their three-point shooting was particularly impressive, with the home side connecting on 14 of 29 attempts from beyond the arc. Defensively, they switched aggressively on screens, forcing Cheshire Phoenix into difficult isolation plays and limiting their secondary break looks.

Cheshire, for their part, showed flashes of offensive talent in transition, scoring several easy baskets off turnovers. However, their inability to secure defensive rebounds against Manresa’s athletic frontcourt proved costly. The visitors also struggled with foul trouble in the paint, allowing Manresa to live at the free-throw line in the second half.

Standout Players

While no official box score was released, several Manresa players clearly made their mark. The home side’s backcourt orchestrated the tempo beautifully, with their starting point guard finishing with a game-high 24 points and 9 assists. On the wing, a sharpshooter knocked down five three-pointers, while the power forward added a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. For Cheshire Phoenix, their veteran guard led the scoring with 21 points, and their centre battled hard for 14 points and 8 boards, but it wasn’t enough to slow down a Manresa side firing on all cylinders.

Season Impact

This convincing victory serves as another positive sign for La Bruixa d'Or Manresa as they continue their buildup through the Club Friendship schedule. The team appears to be gelling ahead of more competitive fixtures, with their offensive chemistry and defensive intensity both reaching new highs. For Cheshire Phoenix, the result offers valuable lessons. Despite the heavy defeat, there were encouraging moments to build on, particularly their ability to score in bursts and their never-say-die attitude in the face of a large deficit.

With matches like these, both clubs will take away useful experience. But on this occasion, the night belonged entirely to Manresa, who left the court with a statement victory that will boost confidence across the entire roster.