Around the NBL 16/17 – Week 7

Image credit: Bradford Dragons / Alex Daniel Photography

The latest recap of the action around the NBL from Week 7 of the 2016-17 season.

National Cup

Manchester Magic survived a scare against Team Birmingham Elite to continue their title defence with a 72-73 victory. The home side were led by K Williams’ 28 points and produced a 33-21 final period to close the gap before just falling short.

Kent Crusaders recorded another convincing win over D1 opposition as 22 points from RJ Eytle-Rock helped them take down Essex Leopards, 94-67. Meanwhile, Reading Rockets defeated Hemel Storm 67-84 on the road behind a combined 38 points from Chris Hooper and Craig Ponder.

Bradford Dragons came through an overtime thriller with Lancashire Spinners to claim a 114-109 triumph in the Fourth Round encounter despite 29 points from Connor Murtagh. Derby Trailblazers saw off Loughborough Student Riders with an 84-76 win, while Kayne Henry-McCalla’s 26-point haul wasn’t enough to prevent London Westside falling to a 66-74 defeat at home to Westminster Warriors.

There are still two Round 4 games to be played before the Quarter-Final line-up is completed.

Division One

Derby Trailblazers (5-0) remain unbeaten at the top of D1 after coming from behind to beat Solent Kestrels 64-84. The visitors trailed by nine at the half but dominated the second half with Josh Ward-Hibbert posting 20 points in his side’s fifth victory.

Meanwhile, Loughborough Student Riders (4-0) are also still unbeaten after they defeated London Lituanica (1-3) 81-72 at the weekend despite 29 points and 17 rebounds from Ausridas Petraitis. Manchester Magic (4-0) made it four from four as Stefan Gill netted 28 points in a 72-82 win at Leicester Warriors (1-3).

Team Northumbria (5-1) continued their strong start with a 71-86 road success at Lancashire Spinners (1-3) before recording a comfortable 98-67 victory at home to Worthing Thunder (1-4) on Sunday with Blayne Freckleton leading the way with 27 points.

Also, Bradford Dragons (3-1) claimed their third league win after beating Worthing Thunder 106-84 as Rihard Sulcs led the way with 26 points on 13-17 shooting. The visitors were again led by Lyonell Gaines, who finished with 38 points and 12 rebounds with Brendan Okoronkwo adding 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Division Two

Kent Crusaders (4-0) are still unbeaten in D2 after beating London Greenhouse Pioneers (3-1) 86-79 at the weekend with John Shodipo leading the way with 23 points. Doncaster Danum Eagles (1-3) claimed their first league success as they held off Newham Neptunes (1-3) with Liam Knapp netting 26 points in the 87-83 win.

Derbyshire Arrows (3-1) were victorious in another nail-biter as they denied Liverpool (0-3) a first win with a 72-74 road triumph, while London Westside (1-3) defeated Ipswich (0-2) 69-60 behind 22 points from Kayne Henry-McCalla.

Also, Nottingham Hoods (1-3) fell to an 80-88 loss at home to undefeated Thames Valley Cavaliers (3-0) with the visitors keeping pace with the league leaders, Kent.

Division Three

University of Chester (5-0) continued their unbeaten start in D3 North with a 62-69 victory on the road against Worcester Wolves II (3-2) after a strong final quarter effort. Team Birmingham Elite held off Charnwood Riders with a 73-59 win, while Kieran Jones poured in 36 points to lead Stoke-on-Trent Knights (3-1) past Birmingham Mets (0-3), 78-71.

Meanwhile, Myerscough College Spinners (3-1) defeated Mansfield Giants (1-4) 91-73 and Coventry Tornadoes (2-2) claimed a 67-62 win over Sheffield Hallam Sharks (2-2).

In D3 South, Team Solent Kestrels II (2-0) claimed their second win with a 97-83 victory at home to Middlesex LTBC (4-2), while Northants Thunder (2-0) recorded a 77-88 success away at Thames Valley Cavaliers (0-5). Elsewhere, Southwark Pride (0-2) were beaten 48-52 at home to Greenwich Titans (2-4).

Division Four

Team Sunderland (3-1) moved joint-top in the North after beating Tameside (3-1) 81-71 behind 28 points from Alan Slasor. Manchester Giants II (2-0) enjoyed a double-winning weekend with Daniel Pilkington scoring 31 points in a 40-90 win at Sefton Stars II (0-3) before adding 19 in a following 84-51 victory against Kendal Warriors (0-4).

There was also a convincing 71-44 victory for Calderdale Explorers (2-1) over Barrow Thorns (1-2) with Nathaniel Akins netting 35 points, while Leeds Force Academy (2-1) edged out Kingston Panthers (3-2) 63-66 on the road as Micah Savery-Richards scored 20 points in the win.

In the Midlands, Northants Taurus (4-0) continued their unbeaten start with a 79-94 victory away at Shropshire Warriors (3-1), while City of Birmingham (1-3) defeated Sheffield Sabres (2-3) 57-71 on the road behind Zach Powell’s 31 points. Warwickshire Hawks (3-1) beat Kings Lynn Fury (1-3) 78-61 with Ashley Dickson scoring 28 points, while Nottingham Hoods II (1-3) eased past Birmingham Mets II (0-4), 94-39.

Middlesex Saxons (3-1) climbed to a share lead at the top of the South-East after beating Barking Abbey Crusaders (2-2) 64-60 as Jamel Felix netted 24 points. Folkestone Saints (3-1) joined the top two on three wins from four with a 61-78 success at Anglia Ruskin University (0-5) behind Jake Murphy’s 30 points. Also, Essex Blades (3-2) beat Kent Crusaders II (3-1) 93-51 and London Thunder Lewisham (2-1) claimed a 71-86 win at Chelmsford Lions (1-3).

In the South-West, Swindon Shock (4-0) remain perfect after seeing off Woking Blackhawk Flyers (1-1) 78-82 on the road with Lee Hobbis scoring 27 points. Plymouth Rebels (0-2) were beaten 69-75 at home to Bristol Storm (1-2), while Southampton University Sharks (1-2) held off Cardiff City (2-1) for a 72-68 triumph.

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