On Tuesday night the Czech Republic nearly burned the net with their scorching long-range shooting as they out-gunned the Canterbury Rams selection in an exhibition match at the Westpac Centre, 105-86.  The Czechs were amazingly accurate with their laser-guided three-point shots, converting 21 of 34 shots for 61.8%.  The game was played in good spirit with the Rams giving the Czechs a run for their money in spurts, but the class of the Czechs shone through in the end.  The Rams selection was boosted by the availability of soon to be NZ citizen Clifton Bush.  This opportunity was not lost on the Canterbury squad, relishing the chance to take on an international opponent.  The match was organised at late notice after the Czech Republic asked the Rams for a game to keep them match-fit for the last two games against New Zealand.

The game's first few minutes set the tone with the Czechs jumping out to an 11-4 lead with three long-bombs from three different players, but the Rams were able to tie the game up at 11-all just 30 seconds later.  The visitors then went on an 11-0 run and finished the quarter with a 31-17 lead after some late Canterbury turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Rams came out running with point guard Jeremy Kench leading the break and Bush and John "Pope" Whorton profited to bring the lead back to seven with six minutes remaining, 39-32.  The Czechs were employing a man-to-man defence but the Rams were able to beat their taller opponents down the floor.  Despite five three-pointers in the quarter from the Czechs, Canterbury were able to continue making uptempo baskets and converting free throws from the line, and were only down ten at halftime, 55-45.

The Rams continued their dominance at the free throw line and only late burst from 2.15m Ondrej Starosta saw the Czechs take a 16 point lead into the final stanza, 80-64.

In the fourth quarter, swingman Tim Edmonds came to life knifing through the Czech defence and converted three lay-ups.  With eight minutes remaining the home side had chipped the lead back to nine, 80-71, but a pair of three's from Pavlik and one from the leading scorer against the Tall Blacks last night Marek Stuchly, the international side had quickly shot out to a 20 point gap.  The Rams fought bravely in the final minutes with all players getting on the court but the Czechs maintained their winning margin.

Energizer point guard Jan Pavlik was the chief marksman, knocking down seven of his nine shots from deep and scored 25 points, dished out six assists and had five rebounds in 26 minutes of action.  Stuchly matched his scoring output from the night before with 19 points.  In all, six Czechs recorded double-figures and the only disconcerting point about the game was the large number of turnovers (31).  Rams American centre Whorton performed with distinction and had a rugged time with the taller Czech forwards, posting a game high 28 points and 10 rebounds and played all 40 minutes.  Bush was his energetic self in his first big game back from a knee injury racking up 24 points on 12 of 17 shooting.