Team Solent have too much about them for Bognor Pirates

National League division three south

Bognor travelled to Southampton for a south-coast derby but found the home team too strong for them.

Solent wanted revenge for last season, when Bognor beat them at their home.

Solent came out the blocks flying, using their height advantage to get an early lead.

Bognor put the ball inside to forward Rich Lowe, who, even with a height disadvantage, still scored from the inside.

Solent had a hot shooting quarter hitting three three-pointers and not missing many shots – but they finished it 30-14 down. The Pirates coaching staff indicated what needed to change and the team came out in the second quarter a different outfit.

They were defending a lot better, making it harder for Solent to get open shots.

At the offensive end, Bognor started to move the ball to get open looks and driving to the basket.

Sam Clive and Matt Robbins drove to the basket, sometimes getting points and on other occasions being fouled and hitting their free-throws.

Bognor reached half-time trailing 49-34.

The third quarter didn’t start well for Bognor – they did not score in the first four minutes and Solent extended their lead.

Bognor reverted to giving Rich Lowe the ball and he started to score regularly, shooting six straight points. The quarter ended 71-44 to Solent.

In the final quarter, Pirates started well with Lowe scoring from inside with eight points without reply.

Bognor’s defence was better thanks largely to good play by Kev Wilson and Ben Davenport.

Bognor started moving the ball again and finding open shots for Robbins and Wilson to exploit.

PIRATES SCORERS: R Lowe 22, M Robbins 14, K Wilson 11, S Clive 6, C Watson 5, L Barnes 4, S Hardyman, D Crawley, B Davenport.