The devastating news came in the lead-up to a humbling double defeat on the road for the men, going down 117-67 on Saturday to Penrith Panthers and 103-81to Hawkesbury Jets on Sunday.

Double road trips are always hard and for a team but learning to play without their regular point guard is like a ship trying to steer without a rudder.

Tye, brother of recently retired Jay Forrester, has proven to be one of the best basketballers Dubbo has produced, according to Rams coach Peter Gaiter.

“Tye is certainly one of the most unselfish, team orientated players we have seen,” Gaiter said.

“His tenacity and magic passes will be missed by a team of bigs just starting to hit their straps.

“On a personal note I will miss his smile, his quick joke and his easy to be with personality.”

His absence was noticeable from the first quarter of game one with Penrith starting the horror show taking a 34-13 lead into the first break.

Eventually Liam Morrow stepped up and staked his claim to point and undaunted by the pressure scored 18 points as was the one ray of hope in an offence that flailed.

Young rookie Dom O’Neill showed dazzling speed while Josh Barlow was one of the few players who gave their all in a soundly beaten side.

Best and fairest: 3 points Liam Morrow, 2 Dom O’Neill, 1 Mark Dawes.

The Sunday game against competition favourites Hawkesbury Jets saw a different side take the court, playing with promising intensity to be down by just six at the quarter.

Captain Nathan Peckham led the way shooting 26 points and lifting the team with his enthusiasm.

Star import Mark Dawes showed that he is the equal of any big shooting a personal best 23 points for the Rams.

Brian Amos showed why he is the glue in any Rams offence, Bart Sykes brought his best game and controlled the defense with his backdoor muscle, Liam (15 points) had another great game and Nick Hubbard and Michael Bonney had strong games on the boards.

However the effort showed as the Rams ran into foul trouble with Nathan Peckham fouled off early in the final quarter.

The final score of 103-81 did not reflect the game with the third quarter score 29-28 and the Rams trailing by just four points at three different times.

“To score 81 points, which is the most we have shot all season, against possibly the best team is no mean feat,” Gaiter said.

Key players Dean Peachey and Luke Griffith were unable to travel and were sorely missed.

“Dubbo needs to learn to play defence against a fast break side but without the speed of these two players it is hard,” her said.

“If we can learn to contain key players defensively we will have a side to watch.”

Best and fairest: 3 Nathan Peckham, 2 Mark Dawes, 1 Brian Amos.

Defiant Rams hold on to place

BASKETBALL

By BILL NORTH

The Dubbo Rams women have maintained their top two status in Pool B of the State Basketball League after a defiant 88-71 win against Penrith Panthers at the weekend.

Claire Hargreaves (30 points), Caitlin Colliver (19), Melissa Lee (18) and Cara Forrester led a dominant Rams across the court in a high-scoring outing.

The continued improvement on display from the girls impressed the coaching staff and Dubbo State League committee member Peter Hargreaves was confident things were heading in the right direction for the team.

“The girls played very well, sharing the scoring around in a pretty tidy performance,” Hargreaves said.

“We jumped out to a 23-4 lead in the first quarter before Penrith came back to within seven. But the girls punched out again and never let them come back in a pretty tough, tradesman-like game against a full strength Penrith side.

“To score 88 points is a fair indication the girls are on track for a successful season.”

With five wins and three losses the Rams are headed only by undefeated defending premiers Shoalhaven Tigers.

Their next three games will be at home but against tough opposition - a combination of factors Hargreaves believes could bring the best out of the Rams.

“The run of tough games could be a good thing because they seem to lift against better sides,” he said. “We have Newcastle next weekend followed by Shoalhaven and Goulburn before finishing the regular season with an away game to Wagga.

“Realistically, if we can pick up three wins out of four then we will be assured second spot and a place in the play-offs.

“Everything is clicking along very well for the girls at the moment and throughout the season have continued to show improvement.

“They are a tough bunch of girls and while they are not the flashiest side, they have a hardnose attitude and work hard together.”