With Manchester's game against Derbyshire Spartans failing to take place, it left three fixtures to make up the D2M schedule for week 13.
There was still plenty to get excited about for NBL fans though with big victories for Bristol Academy Flyers, Southern Conference leaders Essex Rebels and the previously winless Bristol Hurricanes.
Game of the week
It was a great weekend to be a Bristolian with both the Flyers and Hurricanes claiming some important wins as we head into the festive break.
The Flyers earned a narrow 72-69 win over third placed Charnwood College Riders.
Gregoire Durand’s 28 points and nine rebounds marked an impressive solo effort from the Charnwood guard, while Pasquale Landolfi recorded 17 for Flyers.
But it was Bristol’s 26 points from the bench compared to Charnwood’s five that made the difference, as Flyers delivered a Christmas surprise against one of the league’s high flyers.
Elsewhere in D2
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, pulled off their first win of the season as they saw off Derbyshire Arrows 83-76.
Zygimantas Kosarevas hit a double-double of 21 points, 13 rebounds, to keep the sides level as Charnwood’s Maciej Mastalerz fell just short of the same feat with 26 points, nine rebounds.
The game remained close before a dominant nine-point fourth quarter saw Hurricanes earn a first victory of the season to end the year on a high.
There was less of a surprise in the other game in D2M between Essex Rebels and Cardiff Met Archers, as the Southern Conference leading Rebels comfortably beat the bottom placed Archers 98-67.
Oluwamayomipe Adeyeye scored 20 points for the high-flying Rebels, with Joshua Moore adding 18 from the bench to ensure a smooth ride into the new year for the hosts.
3:00pm - Bristol Academy Flyers 72-69 Charnwood College Riders - LIVE STATS
3:00pm - Essex Rebels 98-67 Cardiff Met Archers - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Bristol Hurricanes 83-76 Derbyshire Arrows - LIVE STATS
Up Next
D2M returns on January 4 with the battle of Bristol, as Hurricanes host Flyers with both looking to add to their end of year wins.
Ipswich head to Southampton Kestrels II, there’s another derby as London Westside host London Pioneers and Newcastle University hit the road to Manchester Magic.
On Sunday January 5, East London All Stars face Sussex Bears, Myerscough College fight it out with Derbyshire Spartans while the Derbyshire Arrows go up against Sheffield Hallam University.
Main image credit - Nick Winter
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