Exeter & District Men’s Division One

EXMOUTH JESTER 92 WEYMOUTH MISSON FITNESS BANDITS 76

ILLNESS hit Weymouth Bandits’ hopes as they fell to Exmouth Jester.

The visitors entered the game looking to turn their form around after the first loss of the season the week prior.

The day didn’t start well as Weymouth lost two players to illness before the game and could only take seven players to Devon.

Exmouth took an early lead despite good defence from the Bandits.

This sprung Weymouth starters Viltoldas Balcuinas and Michael Willemse into life as they scored back-to-back baskets each to level the scores.

The hosts then were rocked after the introduction of Ian Manley, a previous player of the year, who was playing his first game back in the Weymouth red, and who solidified the defence and changed the game into a tight well-thought affair.

With the experience of Manley, this allowed young Jake Kinder to do what he does best on the offensive end of the court. He racked up three-pointers and combined well with Andy Steel, who also had his share of three-pointers.

However, this looked in vain as the first half closed with the Jesters 47-35 ahead.

Unfortunately, the second half wasn’t as successful as Exmouth’s big presence around the basket made it tough for Weymouth to guard.

This led to the home side going on a 12-point scoring run.

This, in hand with Kinder picking up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, meant the sting had been taken out of Weymouth’s offence.

The trio of Willemse, Balcuinas and Chris Canham then picked up the game and, between the three of them, scored 18 points with only six in reply from the Jesters.

This meant the game still looked alive for the Bandits, which seemed to fill Craig Sorrell with confidence.

He took control and managed to weave the ball to Manley on the inside on three occasions, which resulted in the latter converting the baskets.

Exmouth still managed to keep control of the game until the end, which left Weymouth leaving the resort with a loss.

Bandits: Vitoldas Balciunas 19, Ian Manley 15, Jake Kinder 13, Michael Willemse 11, Chris Canham 7, Andy Steel 7, Craig Sorrell 4

MVP: Vitoldas Balciunas