Solent League Division Two

DORSET STORM CAVS 63 WEYMOUTH BANDITS 65

WEYMOUTH Bandits avenged their opening day defeat at the hands of Dorset Storm Cavs with a nail-biting two-point triumph in Poole.

The Bandits suffered a 30-point loss at home to the Cavs in the season curtain-raiser but the signs were positive going into this meeting – so positive that manager Chris Canham decided to take himself out the game and exclusively coach instead.

With a full squad, there was also the addition of Mark Hatton, who missed the previously mentioned game, and Andy Steele, who kitted up for his first outing of the season.

The game started at a furious pace, with both teams showing flashes of offence and equally solid defence. The two teams went back and forth over the 10-minute quarter trading basket for basket, including seven straight points from Steele. And the quarter ended level at 18-18.

With reserve Steve Howlett picking up three fouls in one minute, Weymouth certainly showed they had the aggressiveness to beat the home side, but it was also clear that if they wanted to beat them it would take more than they were doing.

The second quarter started much the same with the visitors striking first but allowing Cavs to answer back several times to keep the game close at 25-25.

Quick baskets from Steele and Julien Lawes saw Weymouth pull into a 31-28 lead at half-time.

The second half reminded Weymouth of what they were missing in the previous game as Hatton came out firing.

The power forward notched 12 straight points only be interrupted midway with Lawes hitting an open three-pointer and the visitors moving 46-37 ahead.

Cavs managed to keep within striking distance but with some key outside shooting from Alex Legg and Lawes, combined with five points from guard Alex Fuhrmann, Weymouth finished the third period 55-47 in front.

The Bandits though, could only watch as the hosts pegged them back to 55 apiece, forcing Canham to call a time out and focus his troops.

The coach seemed to have got it right when Andy Blackwood hit a quick lay-up followed by yet another long range shot from Lawes.

Weymouth held a lead of five points but needed to do more with four minutes still left on the clock.

The scoreline only changed when Weymouth allowed their hosts to go to the free-throw line six times, luckily for the Bandits they were only able to score one of those attempts.

With the last minute of the game ticking down and a 63-61 point lead, Weymouth knew they weren’t safe.

Good build-up between Hatton, Steele, skipper Brett Dunster, Harris and Fuhrmann resulted in the latter hitting a successful open shot.

Despite seeing the hosts hit back with two points of their own, the Bandits saw the game out to record their second win of the season.

Canham said: “We really played to our strengths. We have a superb outside shooting team and it’s clear we need to use this to capitalise in future games. I’m looking forward to what is to come.”

Roster/Scorer: Mark Hatton 16, Brett Dunster 11, Alex Fuhrmann 10, Julian Lawes 9, Andy Steele 9, Andy Blackwood 4, Eric Olsen 2, Alex Legg 2, Jamie Harris 2, Steve Howlett, Carl Carter.