Basketball: Melton Kings withstand Fulhurst fightback

Basketball is available in Fenland through a Doorstep Sports Club

The game started well for Kings as they won the tip, and two quick passes later Zee Tamosiunas scored a lay-up.

Things went quiet as both hard-working defences prevented any scoring, but quick passing created an opening for Richard Haffenden to open his account.

Fulhurst B replied with two points from Sturgess before Kings took control as strong defence forced the visitors into pressurised shots from the perimeter.

At the other end of the court, Kings worked the ball well and found open shots, and despite the offence misfiring the hosts had opened an 8–1 lead after seven minutes.

This was extended by a three-pointer from Tamosiunas, but Fulhurst then found their shooting range as 10 points from Sturgess, Daniel and White brought them back into the game, and by the end of the quarter, Kings’ lead had been cut to 13-12.

Sturgess’ three pointer put Fulhurst ahead at the start of the second quarter, but this seemed to upset the Kings’ defence who denied the visitors any further points in the quarter.

Paul Hodgkinson and Tamosiunas hit back with eight quick points from the perimeter, and as Fulhurst spread their defence Timon Rumbold was given space inside which he used to good effect.

He was well supported by Peter Birley, and at the end of the half, Kings had built a 28-15 lead.

It was very slow scoring at the start of the third quarter for both teams as strong defence forced long-range shots and both units controlled their boards.

Six points each were shared in the first seven minutes, and after a Melton time-out, Fulhurst added 11 points in the last three minutes.

Kings were kept in the quarter by Kerry Long’s free-throws, but Fulhurst took the third period 14-8 to reduce the Kings’ advantage to 36-29.

The final quarter went the way of the second as strong defence limited Fulhurst to four points, while fast breaks saw Tanguy Whenham-Bossy scoring. As three-pointers from Tamosiunas and Hodgkinson built a comfortable lead, Kings ran down the clock to finish 17-point winners.

Kings are in action at John Ferneley College on Monday, October 24 against Ashby C (tip-off 7.45pm).

Kings: Z. Tamosiunas (15), T. Rumbold (13), P. Hodgkinson (11), R. Haffenden (6), K. Long (3), T. Whenham-Bossy (2), S. Gibbons (0), S. Harris (0), P. Birley (0).