After the D2M season began a week ago, there are eight games on the schedule this weekend across the Northern and Southern Conferences. With all eight games set to take place on Saturday, let’s look at what’s in store.
Our game of the week focuses on a local derby in the South West as two Bristol sides lock horns, the Flyers and the Hurricanes.
Neither side was able to begin their season with a win but both came close, the Flyers lost 80-77 in Loughborough while the Hurricanes came up just short against Derbyshire Arrows 81-80.
Zygimantas Kosarevas was impressive for the Hurricanes in Derbyshire as he enjoyed a game high 34 points. For the Flyers, look for youngster Marvin Dinnall to make an impact. The talented guard has been in solid form for SGS College in the EABL this year and he scored a team high 16 points for the Flyers last weekend.
Current D2M Player of the Week Richard Bell takes his 1-0 Manchester Magic side to the North East to face Team Newcastle in a D1M rematch from a year ago. The Knights will be opening their season in that one, they’d no doubt like to do it with a win.
Derbyshire Spartans (0-1) couldn’t beat the Magic a week ago but did look competitive at this level after moving up from D3. They’ll get another chance to get off the mark this weekend as they host Myerscough College (1-0) at Repton School.
Charnwood College Riders (1-0) enjoyed a successful home opener against Bristol last week, they’ll look to continue that form as defending National Shield champs University of Chester (0-1) head to the Midlands looking for their first win of the new season.
Derbyshire Arrows (1-0) make the short trip to Sheffield to face the Hallam Sharks (0-1), who opened their schedule with a tough 88-64 loss to Myerscough in week 1.
A trio of games make up the Southern Conference slate, starting with Essex Rebels (1-0) traversing the country to take on Cardiff Met Archers. Cardiff are yet to start their season and will look to utilise home advantage to begin with a W.
Sussex Bears and East London All Stars also get their respective seasons going tomorrow as the two sides meet on the South coast. The Bears took both games against the All-Stars in 2018/19 and Sussex will hope that trend continues here.
Finally, Greenwich Titans (0-1) host an all-London affair as BC Medelynas get their schedule underway. Medelynas are always a tough side to beat and have climbed rapidly through the NBL structure. The Titans will need to be firing on all cylinders if they’re going to grab a win.
2:20pm – Sheffield Hallam Sharks v Derbyshire Arrows - LIVE STATS
3:00pm – Greenwich Titans v BC Medelynas London - LIVE STATS
3:30pm – Chanrwood College Riders v University of Chester - LIVE STATS
4:45pm – Cardiff Met Archers v Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
5:00pm – Sussex Bears v East London All Stars - LIVE STATS
5:15pm – Bristol Academy Flyers v Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS
7:00pm – Derbyshire Spartans v Myerscough College - LIVE STATS
7:00pm – Team Newcastle University v Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
Main image credit - Bristol Academy Flyers
