PORTSMOUTH SMUGGLERS 62

WEYMOUTH COWBOYS 78

WEYMOUTH Cowboys made it three wins on the spin with victory at Portsmouth Grammar School.

After a mixed start to the season, the youthful Cowboys are developing a strong chemistry and they made a lightning start in Hampshire with Dan Campbell hitting two consecutive three-pointers inside the first minute.

Sam Dodge and Gaz Williams contributed baskets to increase the advantage in what was a fast and free-flowing first period.

A spirited Smugglers side fought back to narrow the advantage to six points with three minutes left before Jack Speary answered to give the Cowboys a 22-16 lead heading into the second period.

The furious tempo continued throughout the second with both sides trading baskets and seemingly unable to stop the other from scoring.

Portsmouth had chances, but failed to convert three out of four foul shots before Rob Legg converted an offensive rebound to increase the gap to 11 points.

Speary, Dodge, Eric Olson and Campbell all chipped in as the visitors ended the half 44-28 in front.

Weymouth switched to a zonal marking system in the third quarter, which helped to slow the tempo of the game, while Matt Board dominated the rebounds as Portsmouth continued to chase the match.

The Smugglers even went on a run of four unanswered baskets midway through the quarter before Campbell, Olson and Williams all netted to restore confidence to the visitors.

Despite these late scores, the Smugglers outscored the Cowboys by 10 during the third quarter. This left Portsmouth within striking distance at the start of the final period, having narrowed the gap to six points.

But the Cowboys rustled up six unanswered points in an increasingly physical match which would become dominated by some late refereeing decisions as emotions flared on both sides.

With five minutes left, both teams traded fouls and subsequent free-throws. But the strain began to show as Portsmouth’s captain became increasingly frustrated when several close decisions went against him, and he was forced to sit out the last minute after earning a technical foul for dissent.

The Cowboys kept their composure and nine straight points ensured they came out on top.

Captain Olson said: “We were very pleased with our performance. Everyone played their part in an excellent team effort.

“Portsmouth were a credit to themselves, but we simply refused to let them back into the match. Our young lads really led the way.”

Cowboys: Dan Campbell 19, Jack Speary 19, Sam Dodge 13, Gareth Williams 12, Eric Olson 9, Robert Legg 4, Matt Board 2.