Worcester Wolves U18’s Vs. Bournville Bears U18’s

Venue: University of Worcester

Date 3/11/12 Tip Off: 2pm

Wolves confidence was high as they welcomed Bournville Bears on their first visit to the University of Worcester. The Wolves were still unbeaten in the league whilst the visitors had yet to taste a victory in their inaugural season. Wolves knew that they needed to win comfortably to help improve their points difference and to challenge Ilkeston for the top of the league spot.

The game started with Bournville winning the first possession and took the lead at 2-0 for the only time in the game much to the shock of the home team. After a couple of missed baskets from either side it was Sam Broughton that opened the Wolves scoring and within minutes the Wolves had taken control of the game. With 7 minutes played Wolves had sunk four 3 pointers and were leading 20-2. Bournville then scored what turned out to be a rare basket before normal service was resumed with the home team in a comfortable 28 – 4 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started very slowly for the Wolves and with Bournville making more fouls than baskets the game was becoming very scrappy. Dave Nash was the only player for Wolves to score any points in the first 5 minutes and was having what is becoming a customary stand-out second quarter . After 5 minutes the Bournville coach called a time out and was immediately rewarded after the restart with a successful 3 point attempt and with the score at 35-9 it was Wolves that made a number of substitutions. Wolves found their rhythm again and with 6 points each from Tom Cox and Sam Broughton the score had increased to 47-10 before a couple of baskets from Bournville followed by two late baskets from Ash Dickson and Dave Nash gave Wolves a 51-14 half time lead.

Wolves came out pumped up for the second half and after only 4 minutes had increased the lead to 50 points with some excellent offensive and defensive rebounding. A rare mistake sent Bournville to the free throw line and Wolves 17-0 run came to an end. The next 5 minutes belonged to Wolves and with just 30 seconds of the quarter remaining the lead had stretched to 77-15. Unfortunately for the home team they couldn’t keep Bournville to just 1 point in the quarter as they ended the quarter with a 2 point basket followed by another point from a free throw. Broughton scoring 13 points in the quarter had been instrumental in Wolves ending the quarter 77-18 in front.

As with the second quarter the fourth started slowly for Wolves and the hope of reaching the 100 point mark was fading quickly. After 3 minutes Bournville scored what was to be their last basket of the game and the score stood at 79-22. Coach Dakin again made changes and again it was the Cox/Broughton partnership that increased the score to 89-22. With 3 minutes to go a complete team change was made and the challenge to hit the 100 point mark was made. Baskets from Nash and Curtis Pearson made the score 95-22 but with just seconds remaining, and Bournville in foul trouble, the Bears committed a foul on Pearson, he made 1 from 2 from the charity stripe before again being fouled at the restart and this time scoring both free shots. The score now 98-22, the inbound play was immediately turned over and Tom Gibbs found himself in possession of the ball under the basket and he calmly slotted home the two point shot to bring up what has previously been the elusive 100 points. As the clock ticked down Wolves again forced the turnover and Pearson was fouled as he attempted the 3 point buzzer beater, the shot missed but another successful free throw gave Wolves a commanding 101-22 point victory and with a 6-0 record their deserved place at the top of the table.

Next week Wolves travel to City of Birmingham hoping to cement their position of league leaders.

Wolves Top Scores: Sam Broughton 27, Dave Nash 16, Tom Cox 14

Report written by Robert Cox