Room for improvement - Sheffield Sharks suffer double loss in pre-season
Double defeat gives Sheffield Sharks plenty to think about as season opener closes in
The B.Braun Sheffield Sharks suffered a tremendous loss against the Cheshire Phoenix on Friday evening after a 80-115 defeat, leaving a feeling of frustration in the air. On Sunday evening, the Sheffield based team then suffered a further loss of 89-63 against the Newcastle Eagles.
The Sharks 2026/2027 team includes familiar faces returning to this season's squad with William Lee, Jordan Ratinho, Mike Ochereobia and Fahro Alihodzic coming back from last season’s roster. Another familiar face was Donovan Clay, who got a lovely welcome back after spending a season away. While newer faces Tevin Brewer, Sean Bairstow, Maceo Jack, Adrian Delph and Dan Gherezgher were welcomed with a brilliant reception from fans. Both Donovan Clay and Dan Gherezgher were inactive players this weekend and were replaced by Sheffield Sharks Division 1 player Declan Kom.
Friday's game against the Cheshire Phoenix led to the Sharks losing by a 35-point gap. The first half of the game opened quite slow, but the pace picked up as Jordan Ratinho and Mike Ochereobia both sank a three pointer each. The Sharks attempted to come back from an eleven point deficit after the first quarter. Sean Bairstow made a great two point slam dunk while Tevin Brewer put up the final points of the first half to finish it 43-63.
The Sharks were determined to find a way to come back, Sean Bairstow was a stand out in this game, as he drove and spun for two points and was then fouled on the play and made himself a three point play. The final quarter certainly picked up in pace but unfortunately pace wasn't what the Sharks needed, despite the teams effort to close the gap, the game ended in a tough defeat as Cheshire’s Bruno Borciuch put up the final three points to close it out at 80 - 115.
The Sunday evening game against the Newcastle Eagles was an improvement on Friday’s game however it left further frustration in the air and much to be desired after the Sharks 26-point loss.
There are certainly things that the team need to improve on before the season opener, but with a two week gap between the away pre-season game and the start of the season there is enough time for the Sheffield Sharks to rest, reflect and rebuild before then.
The Sheffield Sharks next play at home on Sunday the 27th September for their season opener game against the Caledonia Gladiators, with tip off at 4pm.