WINCHESTER WASPS 73

WEYMOUTH TANDOORI BANDITS 85

AFTER a slow start to the year and having suffered several SABA Division One defeats, the Bandits travelled to Winchester and took the sting out of the Wasps.

The Bandits started strongly, aiming to prove that, although they are the smallest town in the league, they can compete with all sides.

Shots came from Chris Canham and Vatoldas Balciunas with good team defence and Weymouth took a 8-2 lead after three minutes.

The visitors took control of the game in the first half with good defence and excellent ball movement in offence. This helped earned them a 42-33 interval advantage.

During the half-time break, the away side highlighted the need to keep the intensity both in offence and defence, and to also rotate players to stay fresh.

Brilliant defence from Ian Manley continued to prove that he can defend any player in the league, which assisted a great bench effort by Sam Dodge and Jordan Daniels, and helped to keep the intensity and the pressure.

Wasps received a technical foul for not controlling their emotions and Bandits increased the difference even more.

Weymouth kept the game in their hands and claimed a fine victory.

Canham said: “This was a great game and an outstanding performance by the team in offence and defence. It felt like Wasps tried everything to try to get back into the game but we did not let go and kept everything in control.”

Bandits: Dzintars Kalkis 28, Ian Manley 22, Chris Canham 13, Julien Lawes 8, Vatoldas Balciunas 8, Carl Carter 6, Jordan Daniels, Sam Dodge.

Weymouth MVP: Dzintars Kalkis