WEYMOUTH HUSKIES 26 ISCA BOLTS 30

A WEYMOUTH Huskies team boosted by several summer arrivals and sporting a new kit were hoping to get their season up and running with a positive result against Isca Bolts, but things didn’t exactly go to plan.

Last season, the Huskies finished one place behind the Bolts in the Exeter & District Ladies’ League, but since then the Wey-mouth side have introduced the likes of Rebecca Kimber, Agata Sikora and Nicola Powell to their ranks in a bid for a better finish.

Both teams needed the first couple of minutes to shake off close season rustiness before the Bolts took a 5-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.

However, a change of defensive formation seemed to spur the Huskies into action and with Jayne Guppy being particularly effective the hosts went on a 10-2 scoring run which saw them lead 10-7 at the end of the period.

Weymouth were looking to exploit the speed of Carly Lawes who was repeatedly fouled on the break, but they were unable to take advantage from the free-throw line.

A run of six points in a row saw Isca hold a 16-15 advantage at half-time.

The third quarter was all about defence. Weymouth switched to a very effective man-to-man system that stifled their opponents from Exeter and restricted them to just two baskets.

Unfortunately, the Weymouth players were finding it equally difficult to score and only Laura Bucke managed to put the ball in the hoop – the quarter ended with the scores level at 20-20.

The fourth quarter was an equally tight affair until a run of three baskets by the Bolts’ Anna Allen opened up a gap.

The Wey-mouth response came from Ellen Blackwood, pictured, and Kimber to leave the Huskies trailing by two with three minutes left.

Several chances were created but the Huskies couldn’t find the all-important points they needed to win the game.

Sarah Blackburn’s final basket was enough to seal victory for the Bolts and leave the Huskies to reflect on what might have been.

Huskies’ coach Andy Black-wood said: “The overwhelming feeling right now is one of disappointment and frustration.

“Defensively we were superb and I really thought we had the momentum to go on and win the game in the last quarter.

“This was a team that beat us by 30 points last year so we’re clearly narrowing the gap but it still hurts to get so close to winning yet not complete the job.”

Huskies: Jayne Guppy 8, Laura Bucke 6, Rebecca Kimber 5, Carly Lawes 4, Ellen Blackwood 3, Anna Goulding, Kazia Hodder, Nicola Powell, Agata Sikora

Huskies MVP: Rebecca Kimber