SWINDON Shock were able to start 2017 with a comprehensive victory as they defeated Oxford Stealers 84-52.

Before the game, player-coach David Colclough was buoyed by the return of point guard Antonio Wilburn and 6’8 center Matt Ford who has also re-signed for Shock.

Colclough admits it is a timely boost for his side as they begin to bear down on promotion from the National League Division Four.

“We're going down the final stretch and we only have seven games left. It’s quite nice, really. We have a game in hand on RCT Gladiators but we haven’t been able to arrange it,” said the Shock coach.

“We have been trying to reschedule the Exeter game but I don’t think that will happen so that is another two points, which means the league is ours to lose, for the most part.

“It was a comfortable game and was the tune-up we needed. We stood up in the first half and jumped out at them - we outscored them by 20 in the second quarter.

“Then we coasted from there. Everybody had good playing time, it was really positive all the way through and it was good to get court time into the young guys.”

A strong second quarter allowed Colclough to ease his side through the remainder of the contest, with Spencer Wells and Matt North continuing their impressive campaigns.

Despite the win, the New College-based side did pick up a couple of niggles, with Colclough suffering with an ankle problem and Lee Hobbis hit by an arm injury.

This weekend’s gap in the fixtures will be welcomed by the coach as it will give his side plenty of rest ahead of their game against Woking Black Hawks on Saturday, January 28.

“Anything over 70 or 80 points shows that your offence is clicking but to hold a team to the 50s is equally as good,” said Colclough.

“For myself, having Antonio (Wilburn) means I can focus on coaching, which is really hard to do if you are trying to play at the same time.

“I’ll just be taking a step back into the coaching role and allow Antonio to take the point guard position because he is a younger, faster and stronger player.”