Solent Kestrels remain the only unbeaten side in the league and sit at the top of the table following their 140-77 victory over Westminster Warriors. Here’s a recap from all the action over the weekend.
Westminster Warriors 77-140 Solent Kestrels
Matt Guymon’s Solent Kestrels remain unbeaten in the NBL Division One league with an impressive 140-77 victory over Westminster Warriors.
The visitors took an early 21-point lead after the first quarter, and their dominance continued leading by 58 points by the end of the third. They scored 29 more points in the last quarter, with Ian Smith the leading scorer with 34 and and adding to his star performance, he made a further six assists, the highest in the game. Elliot Sentance was second best with 27 points, including 13 rebounds and one block, whilst the highest scorer for Westminster Warriors was Arif Sempala.
The result sees Solent Kestrels at the top of the table, two points clear from next best Reading Rockets, whilst the hosts sit sixth with two wins and three defeats.
Bradford Dragons are next to try and end Solent Kestrels’ unbeaten record at Solent Sports Complex next Saturday.
Four teams remain two points behind the top of the table with just one loss. Reading Rockets continued with their fourth consecutive win, defeating Barking Abbey 99-73. Just four points separated the sides at half-time at 45-41, but the Rockets began to extend their lead and by the end of the fourth were in a comfortable position with 72-54 on the scoreboard and eventually going on to take the victory, Ed Potter the leading scorer with 20 points. Barking Abbey now have just one win in five so far this season.
Just behind Reading Rockets on points difference, Thames Valley Cavaliers defeated Leicester Warriors with a close 127-115 scoreline. The leading scorer in T.J. Henderson was unfortunate to be on the losing side with 36 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one block, while Martelle McLemore scored 35 for the hosts and Abdoulaye Sylla had a stand-out performance with 22 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Essex & Herts Leopards still search for their first win of the season following a 116-84 defeat to Hemel Storm. Bode Adeluola scored 29, with seven rebounds and three assists for Storm, who sit fourth in the table whilst Essex & Herts Leopards remain bottom of the ladder.
Current NBL Division One Player of the Week Rasheed Worrell scored 21 points for Loughborough Riders, but it wasn’t enough to claim the win over Worthing Thunder with a 72-79 scoreline to the visitors at the Netball Centre. Cameron Hildreth scored 22 points for Thunder, with six rebounds.
Elsewhere, Liverpool defeated Bradford Dragons 94-82 at Bradford College Sports Hall with Mark Rangeley the highest points scorer with 23, and finally Nottingham Hoods are the second team to still continue to fight for their first win of the season following their 109-93 loss to Derby Trailblazers, who have also lost just one game this season.
2:00pm - Loughborough Riders 72-79 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Westminster Warriors 77-140 Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 127-115 Leicester Warriors - LIVE STATS
6:15pm - Bradford Dragons 82-94 Liverpool - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Nottingham McDonald’s Hoods 93-109 Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS
4:00pm - Essex & Herts Leopards 84-116 Hemel Storm - LIVE STATS
5:00pm - Reading Rockets 99-73 Barking Abbey - LIVE STATS
All seven fixtures fall on Saturday 2 November for the sixth week of the season, with Solent Kestrels hosting Bradford Dragons to attempt to keep their 100% record.
Second-placed Reading Rockets travel to Liverpool, whilst Thames Valley Cavaliers host Hemel Storm, with both sides losing just once so far this season.
Essex & Herts Leopards host Worthing Thunder looking for their first win, whilst Nottingham Hoods will look for the same as they travel to Westminster Warriors.
Elsewhere, Barking Abbey host Leicester Warriors and Derby Trailblazers face Loughborough Riders.
