NBL1 recap: Week 2 (9/10 October 2021) - live streams, stats and more

Week two is now in the books, but who's season improved, and who's went from bad to worse?

Five teams are now sitting pretty at 2-0, including last season's playoff finalists Solent and Hemel, but five more are still winless after a pair of defeats to begin the year.

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

Hemel Storm (2-0) 91-85 Thames Valley Cavaliers (1-1)

Hemel Storm struck an early blow in the race for the D1M title, knocking off rivals Thames Valley Cavaliers 91-85.

Taking to the court without last year's Player of the Year Greg Poleon, Hemel managed to seal the W thanks to 28 points from former TVC man Taylor Johnson and 25 more from forward Johnathan Lashley.

Jakobi Bonner led all scorers for the visitors with 31 points as captain Blayne Freckleton added 28 more, including five triples. Dangerous forward Hakeem Sylla was kept unusually quiet by his lofty standards, scoring nine and pulling down seven boards in just under 35 minutes of play.

Hemel raced out to an early 9-2 led and would stay around five-point leaders for the majority of the contest. Never able to edge their advantage to double figures, the hosts were made to pay as Thames Valley levelled the game at 62-62 with a Freckleton triple to end the third.

The visitors would continue that momentum to lead early in the fourth, but a 25-19 final frame was enough to push the Storm back out in front and seal a valuable victory.

Poleon's absence will no doubt continue to be a concern for the Herts side, but they were at least able to pick up a huge two points without their star forward.

Elsewhere this weekend

Team Solent Kestrels (2-0) remain unbeaten but were pushed all the way by Derby Trailblazers (0-2), winning 109-104 after OT.

Cole Gentry's (14pts, 6reb, 8ast) and-one play with 12 seconds remaining tied the teams at 93-93 before the defending champs took the extra frame in one of the game's of the season so far.

Derby's Malcolm Smith (31pts, 10reb) and Ryan Bruggeman (25pts, 12 ast) both registered double-doubles in the loss.

Nottingham Hoods (2-0) continued to put D1M on notice as they claimed yet another win, easily beating Essex Rebels (0-2) 106-64. 

Victor Olarerin's 25 points stole the show for the hosts, as exciting guard Kyle Jimenez (8pts, 8reb, 10ast) flirted with a triple-double. Jordan Gray top scored for the Rebels with 19.

Bradford Dragons (0-2) will be disappointed to have lost a close one against Worthing Thunder (2-0) on Saturday, with a 62-58 final score.

The Dragons led 52-43 heading into the final quarter before letting their opponents back into the contest and falling to a narrow defeat.

Team Newcastle University (1-1) suffered their first loss of the new season as they went down 89-87 to a Bradley Kaboza inspired London Lions II (2-0).

For former Myerscough EABL standout came off the bench to drop a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double, cancelling out Ronal Blain's 29 points and 14 boards for Newcastle

Reading Rockets (1-1) picked up a W to kick off Sunday's action, easing past Leicester Warriors (0-2) 99-54.

The Warriors trailed 53-30 by the half and a 31-6 third quarter made for a lopsided final score. Tyler Cartaino's 17 points and eight rebounds was the pick of the performances for Reading.

The weekend closed with Oaklands Wolves (1-1) picking up a valuable 85-79 victory against Loughborough Riders (0-2).

Michael New Jr. enjoyed a quality outing for the visitors, clocking up a 23 point, 10 rebound double-double to go with four assists.

L Lynch Trophy

Team Newcastle University bounced back from their league defeat on Saturday to book a place in the L Lynch Trophy semi-finals, beating Worthing Thunder 99-81.

After some even early exchanges, the hosts quickly built a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter. That advantage slowly grew behind baskets from Ronald Blain (35pts, 8reb, 6ast), Martyn Gayle (32pts, 5reb) and Brandon Federici (21pts, 10reb), eventually peaking at 22 points early in the fourth.

Hafeez Abdul's 19-point, 16-rebound double-double was the main source of resistance from Thunder, who were missing former Player of the Week Tom Ward.

Newcastle now progress to the last four in the competition, just two wins away from lifting the first piece of silverware of the new season.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 9 October

4:30pm - London Lions II 89-87 Team Newcastle University - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

5pm - Essex Rebels 64-106 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS

6:15pm - Bradford Dragons 58-62 Worthing Thunder

7pm - Derby Trailblazers 104-109 Team Solent Kestrels (after 1OT) - LIVE STATS

7pm - Hemel Storm 91-85 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS

Sunday 10 October

5pm - Reading Rockets 99-54 Leicester Warriors - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

6:30pm - Loughborough Riders 79-85 Oaklands Wolves - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

L Lynch Trophy - 1pm - Team Newcastle University 99-81 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS

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Main image credit - Luke Simcock