WEYMOUTH Basketball Club celebrated a record turnout of players and teams as they closed their senior season with its fourth annual 3v3 competition.
The club has been running the competition for several years as the brainchild of club head coach Alex Fuhrmann, who wanted to offer the players an alternative ending to a season.
As well as current club members attending, it was a chance for former players to return alongside an opportunity for the senior men, under-16 and ladies to play on the same court.
There was also a highlight as Ryan Payne of National League side Solent Kestrels attended alongside ladies’ National Cup winner Andrea Kurkowski, as surprise guest players throughout the day.
The event started off at a very competitive pace as teams battled to get their first win on the board.
Though it was held in high spirits and with the idea of bringing the club and its former members together, there was still room for a blooded nose and knocked out tooth.
Fuhrmann said: “I’m so pleased with how it went. We had a couple of injuries, but that’s just part of sport and it’s great that the players took pride in finding the wins.”
It wasn’t all bragging rights for the winning team as a change in recent years saw a cash prize going to the winners in a dramatic play-off competition.
It was the only undefeated team of the day that came away with the top honours, a team comprising of first team standout Vatoldas Balciunas, Tom Storey, Matt Clarke-Williams and Luke Strong.
Returning player Peter Neal said: “It was great to have the opportunity to come back and see how the club has flourished.
“I’m not sure my knees will agree in the morning, but well worth it.”
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