Nick Matthew column: Bank on the Sharks to build on their BBL PLay-Off Final triumph

Sheffield Sharks are a real family club.
Mike TuckMike Tuck
Mike Tuck

I train a lot at the English Institute of Sport so I rub shoulders with quite a few of the players. Well, I say rubbing shoulders, but they are a few feet above me!

I was chatting to Mike Tuck, who has been a great servant for the Sharks, the other day and he was saying he’s in the fourth quarter of his career!

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I always look out for the Sharks’ results. Yuri Matischen is their managing director and he has been a big supporter of mine over the years.

I was absolutely delighted the Sharks won the BBL Play-Off Final just under a fortnight ago, beating Leicester Riders 84-77 at the the O2 Arena. Their success was so unexpected. Leicester went into the Final chasing a domestic treble and the Sharks were trailing 66-59 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Against the odds, the Sharks defied the odds, with Tuck leading the way with 20 points. It is what sport is all about. Those underdog victories are the ones we remember.

It is great to see the Sharks and the Sheffield Hatters flying the flag for the city.

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A lot had been written about Leicester suddenly becoming the sporting capital of England so it was nice for Sheffield to just remind them who is boss!

I’m sure the Sharks will be back at work looking ahead to next season. I know the team a bit and they won’t slack off for anything, but it is not easy after you’ve had success to refocus.

It does frustrate me from time to time with the general media that sports like basketball doesn’t get more coverage. I know it doesn’t have the same popularity in this country as it does around the world. It is massive in USA, but it doesn’t quite spread on the same level everywhere else.

Sometimes the media over report on the same sports. Football, cricket, tennis and golf receive plenty of coverage in this country. Andy Murray gets coverage if he sneezes! There are times when you hear about one of his practice sessions when you would rather be hearing about other sports. For me, there are a lot of sports out there who deserve coverage.