The first week of the D2M season is now in the books as seven games provided all the action from across the league in week 2, spanning the weekend of 5/6 October. We take a look at all the action below.
After a fairly miserable campaign in 2018/19, Manchester got back to winning ways on Saturday, grabbing an 80 – 70 win over Derbyshire Spartans.
The Spartans certainly looked capable of matching Manchester in the early going, leading at the half 36-33. Magic would come flying out of the blocks in the 3rd though, taking the quarter 26-12 and putting themselves in a position to seal the win.
Richard Bell was solid for the hosts as he scored 21 points, adding a hefty 17 rebounds, four assists and seven blocks for a stat line that is sure to put the forward in the D2M Player of the Week debate. Ronald Oberia top scored for Derbyshire, he had 26 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and six steals.
Elsewhere in the Northern Conference, Loughborough Riders III found a way to edge past Bristol Academy Flyers 80-77. Max Gosling top scored for the Riders with 18 points as talented guard Marvin Dinnall carried his EABL form over into the NBL season with a team high 18 for Bristol in reply.
There was a tense finish in Dronfield as Derbyshire Arrows utilised a 22-12 4th quarter to pip Bristol Hurricanes 81-80. Joseph Baugh scored the go ahead basket for the Arrows with 12 seconds remaining, capping a 27 point, six rebound, five steal performance.
Sanmi Fajana’s 17 points helped Myerscough beat Sheffield Hallam Sharks 88-64, and Team Birmingham Elite defeated University of Chester 77-68 thanks to 20 points from Dan Penkov.
In the Southern Conference, Ipswich grabbed a 92-71 win against Team Solent Kestrels II thanks to 29 points from Jake Eynon and a 17 point, 16 rebound double-double from Luke Mascall-Wright.
Finally, a 33-11 2nd quarter propelled Essex Rebels to an 86-71 win over Greenwich Titans in the South’s remaining fixture. J Gray top scored for the Rebels there with 20 points.
3:00pm - Greenwich Titans 71 v 86 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
3:30pm - Loughborough Students Riders III 80 v 77 Bristol Academy Flyers - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Ipswich 92 v 71 Team Solent Kestrels II - LIVE STATS
6:30pm - Manchester Magic 80 v 70 Derbyshire Spartans - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Team Birmingham Elite 77 v 67 University of Chester - LIVE STATS
4:00pm - Myerscough College 88 v 64 Sheffield Hallam Sharks - LIVE STATS
4:15pm - Derbyshire Arrows 81 v 80 Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS
There's plenty to look forward to next weekend as recently relegated Team Newcastle get their season underway v Manchester Magic. Elsewhere, Derbyshire Spartans host Myerscough as Derbyshire Arrows head to Sheffield Hallam Sharks.
Loughborough are at home to University of Chester and there’s a Bristol derby in the South as the Flyers host the Hurricanes. Cardiff get their season started against Essex, Greenwich take on BC Medelynas in an all London affair and Sussex Bears head into the capital to play East London All Stars.
Main image credit: Manchester Magic
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