WEYMOUTH COWBOYS 56 DORSET STORM SPARTANS 80

THE Cowboys’ slow start to the basketball season continued with an unfortunate loss to the Dorset Storm Spartans.

The Weymouth outfit are still finding their feet following a turnaround in players with new arrivals now playing alongside the experienced veterans.

The game began late but when the action did eventually get underway the Cowboys made a bright start and were never more than one step behind the Spartans.

The zone defence kept the Spartans at bay for most of the first half and the five-out offence was working well, getting points on the board.

Just seven points separated the two sides at half-time and immediately after the restart the Cowboys set about trying to reduce the deficit.

Not only did they slow down their offence, which resulted in a better passing game between the likes of Jamie Harris and Gerry Legg-Saunders, but they also started to be more clinical in front of the basket.

However, despite Jim De Bertrand’s incredible efforts, the Cowboys were no match on defence with the Spartans’ taller and stronger players winning the majority of the rebounds.

The second-chance points soon began to pile up and in the end the Storm ran out clear winners, 80-56.

Weymouth coach Alex Fuhrmann said: “We made some unnecessary turnovers during the latter minutes of the game, which gives us a clear idea of what we need to work on.

“On the other hand, there are positives we can take from the game including our great zone defence and excellent communication.”

Cowboys: Jim De Bertrand 16, Jordan Daniels 10, Eric Olson 6, Gerry Legg-Saunders 6, Ben Stokey 6, Giles Heaman 5, Jamie Harris 5, Steve Howlett 2, Jake Durston, Tommy Hodson.

MVP: Jim De Bertrand