NBL1 recap: Week 5 (30/31 October 2021) - live streams, stats and more

The calendar ticks over into November, and in what seems like no time at all, there's already five weeks in the books for D1M.

The Halloween weekend didn't disappoint, with Hemel suffering their first defeat of the season after an entertaining game with Derby, and Reading edging a narrow battle with Loughborough.

There's a recap of all the action below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.

Team Solent Kestrels (5-0) 92-67 Worthing Thunder (4-1)

Solent became the first D1M team to reach five wins this season as they saw off rivals Worthing Thunder 92-67.

In a familiar look for the threepeat champs, the Kestrels used a fast start and stingy defence to seal yet another win, claiming the opening quarter 21-11 and holding their opponents to 36% shooting from the floor.

Cole Gentry's 18-point, four-rebound, six-assist outing included three triples and was the top score for the hosts.

Howard Crawford's 18 points were the main show of resistance off the bench for Worthing, with Hafeez Abdul adding a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Early baskets by Gentry and Kemel Archer (9pts, 6 reb) allowed the hosts to leap out to a 9-0 lead inside three minutes, and Worthing would trail by double digits before the opening quarter was out.

At its peak the Solent lead would reach 28 in the final quarter, though Worthing did stage a fight back after half time to reduce the deficit to as little as six points.

The win leaves Solent alone at 5-0, with Nottingham (4-0) the only other unbeaten side remaining in D1M. Worthing now slot into the chasing pack at 4-1, tied with Hemel and London Lions II.

Elsewhere this weekend

The weekend began with a fifth-straight loss for Leicester Warriors (0-5) as coach Brown's side slipped to a 95-64 defeat against Thames Valley Cavaliers (3-2).

A 30-7 opening frame left the hosts with an uphill battle they'd never win, despite 29 points from Van Turner. Jakobi Bonner top scored for TVC with 21 points.

Team Newcastle University (2-3) made short work of Oaklands Wolves (1-4) as they attempt to claw their way back to .500, winning 100-68.

The visitors kept their foot to the floor throughout to win all four quarters, with Ronald Blain's 29-point, seven-rebound, four-steal performance the pick of the bunch for the Knights.

Jonathan James impressed for the hosts despite the loss, he had 26 points.

Derby Trailblazers (3-2) did the unthinkable and kept multi-Player of the Week winner Taylor Johnson in check as they beat Hemel Storm (4-1) 94-73.

'Keeping in check' still meant Taylor went for 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but a 23-12 opening quarter and 30 points from Malcolm Smith allowed DTB to get the job done on the road.

Ryan Bruggeman also impressed for the visitors, his 32 efficiency performance involved 23 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

London Lion​s II (4-1) continue to be a surprise package in D1M, notching their fourth win of the season with a 76-69 victory over Essex Rebels (0-5).

Looking for their first win of the season, Essex kept this one close for the duration but couldn't find a way to ever lead. With London narrowly ahead 66-63 with 4:58 remaining, the hosts would go on an 8-0 to create enough daylight to hang on for the W.

Bradley Kaboza was once again the star man for London, he had 20 points and seven boards. Forward Matthew Ashley had a team-high 18 points for Essex.

The weekend ended with Reading Rockets (3-2) getting the better of Loughborough Riders (1-4), coming out on top 88-83.

The hosts controlled the majority of the contest, leading by double digits in both the third and fourth quarter. A late 17-3 run by the Riders quickly brought the sides level at 83-83 though, before the Rockets nabbed the final five points of the game to seal the W.

Meshack Lufile continued his recent good form for Reading with 10 points on 8-9 shooting, adding six rebounds, an assist and two blocks.

Harrison Gamble also enjoyed an efficient performance on the way to a team-high 16 points for Loughborough. He went 6-7 that included 2-3 from range.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 30 October

3pm - Leicester Warriors 64-95 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

3pm - Oaklands Wolves 68-100 Team Newcastle University - LIVE STATS

4pm - London Lions II 76-69 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

6pm - Team Solent Kestrels 92-67 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

7pm - Hemel Storm 73-94 Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS

Sunday 31 October

5pm - Reading Rockets 88-83 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

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Main image credit - Luke Simcock