Pirates made to walk the plank in back-to-back defeats

At Wellingborough, the Pirates were unfortunate to narrowly lose. It was a close first quarter with solid defence from both teams and the referee having his part to play with many travelling violations.

Good ball movement and strong play from Kev Wilson helped Bognor to a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Good defence from Bognor kept their slender lead throughout the second quarter with key plays from Matt Wakeling, Richard Lowe and Ben Davenport. The halfway stage saw Bognor lead 28-23.

The Phoenix started the second half with a flurry of baskets and Bognor tried to change things by going into a zone, but could not stop Wellingborough hitting their shots and taking the lead.

Bognor replied with baskets from Matt Robbins and Chris Watson but the lead had gone and the quarter ended with the Phoenix 44-42 up.

The whole fourth quarter was close but key three-point baskets by Wellingborough extended their lead.

A flurry of points near the end for Bognor nearly got them back on level terms but time ran out.

Scorers: R.Lowe 19, C.Watson 14, K.Wilson 11, L.Barnes 11, M.Robbins 8, M.Wakeling 5, B.Davenport 2.

At London Westside, Bognor found the going tough when they visited the team who are top and unbeaten in division three of the National League.

It was another tough away game tie against a team who is unbeaten and top of the National league.

Bognor started the quarter well with inside play from Rich Lowe opening the scoring.

Westside used their height and weight advantage to take the ball strong to the hoop, forcing Pirates to defend. Their dominance enabled them to finish the first quarter 27-14 up.

Pirates used good ball movement around the Westside zone to get in some inside and also outside shots.

But Westside’s strong inside play was hurting Bognor and Westside extended their lead to 57-26 at halfway.

The third quarter was similar with strong play from Westside, and Bognor found it hard to stop them. The quarter finished 81-35.

The final quarter brought a glimmer of hope for Pirates, who contained Westside to only nine points and dominated.

Good offensive play from Lee Barnes and Chris Watson ensured the Pirates finished with pride.

Scorers: L.Barnes 12, M.Robbins 12, R.Lowe 9, B.Davenport 7, C.Watson 5, K.Wilson 2, M.Wakeling 2, D.Cawley.