WEYMOUTH COWBOYS 47 SOUTHAMPTON UNI BADGERS 85

SOUTHAMPTON University shot down the Cowboys in their new backyard at Budmouth Sports Centre.

The Weymouth outfit went into the clash with confidence but the Badgers proved too strong in the end despite only having six players at their disposal.

The visitors took control from the outset with almost every offence resulting in points due to some poor defence from the Cowboys, who allowed far too many second-chance baskets.

The hosts also struggled to convert their opportunities and as a consequence found themselves 10 points down by the end of the first quarter.

With some tough love coming from stand-in coach Jamie Harris at the break, the Cowboys then switched to a man-to-man defence which unfortunately proved as ineffective as the zone defence in the first quarter.

Poor communication and slow closing down allowed the Badgers to take easy open shots and with slow scoring at the other end it was no surprise to see the advantage stretched to 38-16 by half-time.

Rich Wheeler and Sam Dodge were the only Cowboys holding their form but they were unable to hold back the onslaught which continued into the third with Southampton commanding the backboard at both ends.

Coach Harris then entered the fray and although it led to a short burst of baskets for the home side it was not enough to throw the visitors out of their stride.

In the final period, facing a 40-point difference, the Cowboys did show signs of the basketball they are capable of with Jordan Daniels, Jerry Legg, Dodge and Wheeler all finding the basket, but in the end it was Southampton’s day as they eventually ran out 85-47 winners.

Harris said: “We clearly didn’t work hard enough on defence which is the Cowboys’ way of playing.

“All players made simple mistakes turning over the ball on offence and due to this, started to erode.

“With such a strong team on paper, clearly the key for the Cowboys going forward is discipline and attendance at training, so the team can become a unit.

“There is no doubt the Cowboys could finish in a strong position in this league but first we must come together and find disciplined defence and simple offence.”

Cowboys: Sam Dodge 12, Jim De Bertrand 8, Jerry Legg 8, Rich Wheeler 5, Jamie Harris 4, Giles Heaman 2, Steve Howlett, Brett Dunster, Jack Speary.