The Yorkshire Guernsey Basketball Leagues got underway on Friday with the first fixture in the newly formed development league, featuring RGF and Colourcare Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers started quickly and raced into an early 8-0 lead. RGF were unable to cope with the pace and physical aspects of their opponents offence while committing to many turnovers when in possession. RGF were always on the back foot, closing the quarter 19 points behind. RGF looked a little more settled in the 2nd period but still struggled to find the basket regularly - score at the half 38-11.
The second half mirrored the first with Colourcare putting together an 18-4 run to open the third quarter, virtually killing off RGF's hopes of a revival. They came back well in the 4th but in the end it was Colourcare who ran out comfortable victors by 78-32. RGF can be proud of their efforts and can only improve as he season progresses, Colourcare on the other hand will be happy with the win and could be the early favourites for the development league.
Colourcare - C Simon 22pts, C Ahne 14pts, T Dundon 13pts.
RGF - Sinclair-scott 11pts
The first Div 2 game of the season saw last years champions match up against Goldridge Estate Agents.
Both sides were missing players in Liz Kerr and Chris Lamb respectively but the surprising appearance of ex-island player Pierre Jehan gave La Frat the edge in a game which was closely fought for three quarters.
The first half started well for La Fraternelle but their 10 point lead was quickly erased by the fast break points of Goldridge's Carl Dorey. Leading by 3 points with two minutes to go in the half, the All-Stars put together a 9-0 run, instigated by Jehan to make things comfortable at the break with a 32-20 advantage.
The opening exchanges of the third quarter ended the game as a contest as the All Stars pushed the lead to 20 on the back of some sharp shooting from James Le Gallez and Adam Grogan. The fourth quarter saw both teams miss shots, content to let the game fade out to its conclusion - Final score 59-38. Jehan was the difference between the two sides scoring 22 with only Carl Dorey of Goldridge making it to double figures with 11 pts.
La Fraternelle - Jehan 22pts, Grogan 13pts
Goldridge - Dorey 11pts
Richmond Worriers entertained the Newly formed Breydole in the final game of the evening.
Breydole started well with James Bourgaize consistently finding the bottom of the Richmond net from 15ft to lead his team to an early 19-7 first quarter lead. Richmond faired much better in the 2nd quarter by restricting the outside shots and rebounding well. At the half they had closed the gap to 6 points (27-21).
The third quarter also belonged to Richmond as they held the Breydole team to just 4 points. Unfortunately they did not really capitalise as they only managed 7 points themselves bringing them to within three points with one quarter remaining.
By now the Richmond legs were weary and with youth on their side, Breydole seized their opportunity and scored 14 unanswered points to close the game out and win by 45-28. The worriers will hope to have a few more players at their disposal for their next game or it could end up being a long final season for the vets of division 2. Breydole on the other hand will have gained confidence from this hard fought win and could be in with a shout of the honours at the end of the season.
Breydole - J Bourgaize 20pts, S Warren 13pts