‘Great to be back’: Blasters secure back-to-back wins in CBL return

By Aydin Payne

Jan 10, 2023

On the move: Robbie Sartori. Photo by Wayne Herring

Seymour Blasters kicked off 2023 in the same style they ended 2022 — with a perfect double-header weekend in the Country Basketball League.

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The Blasters powered past a depleted Albury Cougars 102-63 on Saturday night at the Seymour Sports Centre, followed by a comfortable 80-49 triumph over Mansfield Eagles on Sunday in the High Country.

Seymour’s dominant return from the mid-season break leaves it in top spot on the CBL North-East ladder after 13 rounds.

Blasters’ gun talent Robbie Sartori spoke early this week about his side’s return to the court.

“Albury were undermanned on Saturday night, which is always something that affects clubs at this time of the year with people away and what not,” he said.

“I don’t think we can read too much into their performance. I still think Albury, at full-strength, is one of the most talented teams in the competition.

“We were still able to execute a few things and got some vital minutes into the legs of the boys. We did what we needed to do and it was great to be back out there.”

With Albury limited to one rotation off the bench, Seymour was able to take full advantage of the depleted visitors and raced away to an early 29-15 lead at the first break.

Another convincing 28-20 term was followed by a 22-13 third quarter which gave the Blasters a dominant 78-48 lead at the last break.

Jordan Hockley led the way with 24 points in what was a sublime shooting night, while teammates Keenan Gorski (17) and Tyler Best (15) provided strong contribution on the floor.

Sunday’s match saw the Blasters travel to take on a Mansfield outfit that sits bottom of the ladder.

Any thoughts of an easy win were quickly dismissed when Mansfield brought the fight to the away side in the opening term.

The Blasters were able to quell Mansfield’s attack and soon gained the upper hand on the contest as they ran out convincing 80-49 winners.

Gorski led the points on Sunday with 17, while Best contributed with 16 of his own.

Sartori applauded the efforts of his side while he praised the performance of an “improved” Mansfield.

“They really stuck with us at the start of the game ... full credit to Mansfield, I thought they were really impressive,” he said.

“Once we got the lead we were able to work on a few things offensively and defensively. We’re not shying away that we need to improve and work on a few things.”