WEYMOUTH COWBOYS 63

SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY B 70

DESPITE falling to Southampton, the Cowboys avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

After hosting the students only a week previous, the Weymouth Cowboys saddled up for their season finale at Southampton University, a side keen to bounce back from defeat.

The first quarter saw both teams exchanging baskets at a frantic pace, which saw all five starting players for the travelling side get on the scoresheet and after 10 minutes there was nothing between the sides, each having scored 19.

A continued quick tempo from both sides saw player/coach Eric Olson make good use of his supporting cast, where he frequently used substitutes and changed defensive arrangements.

However, the hosts edged away with a lead from fast breaks and three-point shots.

Weymouth youngster Jack Speary earned five unanswered points midway through the second quarter, and with spirited play from Sam Dodge the hosts’ lead was lessened, with the half-time score at 41-33.

Being behind by eight points, Olsen called a man-to-man defence, which had an immediate effect on the visitors’ fortunes.

Smothering the Uni side, they only managed to score nine points the entire quarter.

Good defence led to a good attack and the Cowboys then blazed forward.

Dodge scored eight points in the third and a three-point shot from Wey-mouth’s veteran bench had them up by as many as nine points at one stage.

All good things come to an end, and the final quarter proved miserable for the Cowboy gunslingers as they failed to score in the final quarter for four minutes by which time Southampton were up by three.

Cowboy Phil Romano had some daring attempts at the basket, but somehow the ball only dropped in on one.

The hosts stretched their lead further still with no answer from Weymouth and the game finished 70-63.

Despite the defeat, coach Olson gave praise to the efforts of all his players.

He said: “This was a gutsy performance from start to finish, making good use of the offense we have been trying to perfect all season long.

The season’s end highlights big changes for Weymouth Cowboys. Both Rob Legg and Romano both head off to university next year and some players have prospects of getting promoted to the first team.