Bandits felled by the Cavaliers (From Dorset Echo)

Bandits felled by the Cavaliers

8:19am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Other sport

WEYMOUTH TANDOORI BANDITS 59

DORSET STORM CAVALIERS 65

A BATTLING display by the Bandits was not enough to stop the Cavaliers from taking the spoils in this enthralling encounter at Weymouth College.

From the outset, the hosts got themselves into a good offensive rhythm with Ian Manley opening the scoring from the foul line. Manley and Dzintars Kalkis then led the Bandits’ scoring for the quarter, bagging nine of their side’s 12 points between them, but an eight-point uncontested run from the Cavaliers saw them hold a slender lead at the end of the period.

Unfortunately, for the Bandits, the second quarter was one they will want to forget.

Not only did their strong offensive play suddenly falter but the Cavaliers also began to raise the tempo, slamming home another 11 unanswered points to lead 32-17 at the halfway stage.

The Bandits now had a bit of a mountain to climb but they came out for the third period determined to make amends with Manley again leading the charge.

Julien Lawes also chipped in but although Weymouth outscored their opponents they were still trailing by nine going into the final quarter.

The home side desperately needed to find another gear and in an all-or-nothing attempt they soon started to reel the Cavaliers in with Kalkis staging a relentless assault on the basket.

Sadly though, the deficit from the second quarter proved too much to pull back as the visitors held on for a 65-59 success.

Bandits’ coach Che Osborne said: “I was pleased to see us yet again start the game strong, recognising where our strengths and the opposition’s weaknesses were quickly.

“However, I would like to see us keep that momentum up and build on it more throughout the entire game.

“Having a strong consistent offence will allow our defence to suffocate the opposition, and defence is where Weymouth basketball has always been strongest in my opinion.

“Overall, I was extremely pleased with the team’s determination. Even though we were trailing the Cavaliers throughout most of the game, the guys never gave up and played like they wanted to win right into the last seconds.

“In fact, had our offensive play in the second quarter been the same as the other three, the game would have been ours for sure.”

Bandits: Ian Manley 19, Dzintars Kalkis 17, Brett Dunster 8, Julien Lawes 4, Sam Dodge 2, Carl Carter 2, Giles Heaman 2, Rich Camp 1, Chris Canham, Matt Board.