West Coast Warriors ...... 68

Cardiff Met Archers ..... 100

Basketball Wales National League

Aberystwyth Basketball Club men’s team the West Coast Warriors tipped off their all new National League season on Sunday.

The Senior Men Welsh National Basketball League is the first league of its kind in Wales and features eight of the best teams from all over the country.

Aberystwyth hosted its first game of the season at Penglais Comprehensive School against one of the league favourites, the Cardiff Met Archers.

Warriors won the tip and team captain, Matthew Ferneyhough, used his experience and size to convert the first two baskets.

Archers, determined not to be put off, started their offensive charge by draining a big three pointer from down town.

The Warriors struggled against the experienced visitors in the first quarter with Lokmadzhiev scoring 10 of the 27 points for Archers, the Aber side trailing 11-27 at the end of the first.

The second quarter saw the Warriors settle into a better game, matching Archers basket for basket. Ben Thompson stepped up his game and scored 14 of the Warriors’ 18 points. Archers managed to convert a few more baskets with A. Arthur scoring 11 of their 23 points.

Setting out into the third, Warriors stayed focused on closing the gap and Phil Dayus-Johnson, in his debut match, showed that his speed and agility on defence was just what the team needed. With the Warriors keeping pace, it continued to stay pretty close with the Archers finishing the quarter 68-49 ahead.

Entering the last quarter Archers were determined to show that their regular games and experience was a force to be reckoned with. A. Arthur once again dominated offensively with an impressive 20 points in the last quarter as the Warriors struggled to shut him out.

The intensity of the game proved too much for the hosts and the Archers ran out 100-68 winners.

Warriors head coach Alan Gbel said: “I am very proud of the way the team stayed composed and focused in the task at hand today. We played a very well drilled, experienced team who play together regular, and this was the first competitive game for the Warriors since we started back training in September.

“We will analyse the game footage and build on today’s performance but well done to a very good Archers team.”

Club founder Alex Manluctao, who was present at the game as a table official, added: “I’m extremely proud of everything the team achieved today and, despite the score, they never once let their guard down and fought until the end. Well done team.”

Warriors head up north on 14 November to face the mighty Mold Magic. Join Aberystwyth Basketball Club Facebook group to watch the games live.