Bosworth edge Melton Kings out of Jubilee Cup

Kings are third in Division Four, while their opponents sit top of the third division, and the match started with both teams wary of the other.

Bosworth opened the scoring, but Kings hit back with a three-pointer from Reynolds.

Hard-working defences kept the scoring rate slow for both teams, but while Kings kept Bosworth to nine points, their offence faltered as Bosworth built an early 9-3 lead.

Melton’s recovery was led by strong driving to the basket from Tamosiunas, and outside shooting by Reynolds as Bosworth were held to just four further points.

Haffenden’s two points levelled the scores at 13 points each at the end of the first quarter.

Bosworth restarted the stronger and took a four-point lead, but Reynolds sank another three-pointer to reduce the deficit.

But in the last three minutes of the half, Bosworth took control, outscoring Kings eight points to one to establish a 29–24 half-time.

Cracknell did the damage with 15 of their points, while King missed all but one of eight free throws.

The third quarter again started slowly, but four more points from Cracknell steered Bosworth to a 35–28 lead.

Strong defence, bad shooting options, and too many turnovers saw both sides fail to score in a four-minute period, but by the end of the third quarter Bosworth had edged their advantage up to eight points at 39–31.

The final quarter continued in the same manner with neither team able to take control. Points were traded, but Bosworth slowly inched ahead.

Points were shared between Reynolds, Tamosiunas and G Watts as Kings tried to respond, but Bosworth worked the ball well to allow Cracknell to add another 10 fourth quarter points and seal a 53-42 win.

Melton Kings C were due to play a home fixture with Fulhurst B last Tuesday, and are next in action away to Western Park Titans at Fulhurst Community College on Friday, February 26 (7.30pm).

Melton scorers: M. Reynolds 19, Z. Tamosiunas 11, G. Watts 10, R. Haffenden 2.