St Mirren West College Scotland 74 Falkirk Fury 37 St Mirren West College Scotland U16 Men came through a tough test against their nearest challengers from last season with flying colours at Renfrew Sports Centre last weekend.

Although they defeated Fury in all match-ups last season, with a number of boys moving up to the older squad, there was much anticipation for this first encounter.

An edgy start saw first blood go to Fury. However, Saints soon got onto the scoreboard, Christopher Feeney driving through the centre and converting a delicate lob shot.

It did not take long for Saints to hit the scoreboard again, this time Feeney being fouled as he scored, giving him a free throw which he converted.

Saints were finding their rhythm, points coming from Feeney – including a long three-pointer – Robbie Stevenson, Mikey Irvine and Brad Low. Fury struggled to penetrate the Saints defence and with the quarter coming to an end, a perfectly timed interception from Craig Fraser sent the Saints on the offence, Low converting the basket to end the first period 10 points ahead at 24-14.

Saints put on a further eight points without reply from Fury at the start of the second period. A great interception from new boy Aiden Lamos released Feeney for an attack on the Fury basket which he successfully converted.

Saints were helped by two big three-pointers from Feeney and Lamos and a sweet reverse lay-up from Irvine. St Mirren went into the break 44-20 up.

The third quarter saw Fury score seven points without a response. Saints coach Chris Cleary called a time-out after just two minutes to refocus his team but for a short time, the shots refused to drop.

Finally, off a charging run, Feeney drove in and was fouled. He converted both free throws to get two points on the board for Saints. At the other end of the court, some solid defence work from Craig Fraser and a tremendous slap down by Irvine kept Fury at bay. A low-scoring quarter left the score at 52-31.

St Mirren started the final period well. From deep in their own half, Saints’ Ben Mitchell made a great lob pass over the heads of the Fury players to Irvine, who converted the lay-up.

In the end, Saints were just too fit and strong for Fury, rounding out the final quarter with 22-6.

Mikey Irvine claimed top points scorer with 26 points, just two ahead of Christopher Feeney on 24.