Vince Habermann | 20th June 2011| NewsMail

IT WAS a perfect weekend for the Bundaberg Radiology Bulls and Bears in the QBL with both teams winning their away double-headers possibly for the first time in the club’s history.

Fresh from a coming of age win over Townsville Flames, the Bears had high hopes as they hit the road to Brisbane, and they took another major step in proving they are title contenders by outgunning Northside Wizards 68-54 on Saturday.

They backed it up against Brisbane Capitals yesterday, 69-60.

On the other hand, few gave the Bulls much hope after they had won just two of their first six games, but they roared into top gear, upsetting the Wizards 71-70, before proving that it was no fluke by also pipping the Capitals 78-77.

Bears coach Dean Page was “ecstatic”.

He said Saturday night was their “most complete team performance” with star US imports Kisha Lee and Yvonne Turner restricted to 19 and 17 points respectively.

“We dominated Northside particularly early – we led 15-0 and although they made some runs at us, we were able to maintain control of the game, and everyone contributed significantly,” Page said.

“(Yester)day was just all heart and Vonny (Turner) was the finisher with 32 points and nine steals.

“But Steph Rehbein was a demon and our spine and heart – her stats don’t show what she brought to this ball club but if it was not for energy and opportunities she provided, we wouldn’t have won like that – she was 10 foot tall and bullet-proof.

“One of the biggest things from this weekend was we had six people with the flu who would normally be tucked up in bed, not playing a hard game of basketball.”

Despite their moderate form, Bulls assistant coach Darryn Roche said he and coach Adam Curran always believed they were good enough to do the double.

“We think we’ve got the firepower and team to beat anyone in the league – we just needed it to come together – we knew we could win but it was a matter of executing and doing things right, and we did, and it was very awesome,” he said.

“Mainly our team defence did it – it was the first time it has come together, and the two big guys came up again, Matt (Hanson) and (Will) Shack(leford).”

Shackleford chalked up 25 points and 19 rebounds against the Wizards and 24 and 14 respectively against the Capitals, while Hanson came to the party with 24 points and 14 rebounds yesterday.

“It was the first time Brisbane have been beaten at home this season – Todd Meyerding also had a great weekend but basically it was a really good team effort, and we are 4-4 now and our season can kick on from here,” Roche said.