Worthing Thunder unable to blaze a trial at Derby

Travelling short-handed without Tom Ward, Thunder were to taste defeat for the second consecutive game.

It means Thunder are realistically playing for second place in the league after Solent won well again.

Although it was a close run game Thunder were not at their best – and Derby had the upper hand throughout.

The first period set the style of the game as the home side pressed from the start.

Why Worthing players have insulting names on their shirts this month.

Thunder dug deep in defence but as the first session went on it was a confident Derby that took a double digit lead into the break of 14-24.

Thunder had the best of the second quarter pulling the lead back to just five points at the half time break.

Jarred Dixon, Zaire Taylor and Hafeez Abdul kept Thunders scoring ticking over while Howard Crawford was immense in defence. It was 37-42 at the break.

The third stanza was Thunder’s best as the game got closer. They ground out points against a resolute defence and took a one-point lead but Derby came back and at the final break led 58-57.

The final period saw Derby again force the pace and a tiring Thunder were under pressure. Abdul, Dixon and Crawford were showing up well and with Taylor and Jorge Ebanks backing them up. But Derby finished strongly with late free throws to take victory by 81-72.

It was Ebanks who caught the eye with his best game of the season hitting ten points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Thunder visit London Lions on Saturday. They return to the Thunderdome on Saturday, February 19 when Hemel Storm visit.

D&D BASKETBALL

The men’s White team progressed to the next round of the cup with an 84-67 win over Shoreham Spartans.

The men’s Black team went down to Horsham Hawks, 58-71 the score.

The under 18s took their revenge on Shoreham Spartans when they met them for a second time this season with a 99-52 win. D&D under-12s also came up against Shoreham Spartans, winning 46-30. The under-16 black team had a close game against Brighton Cougars but lost.