Basketball: Pirates leave Wolves howling in despair

Pirate Andy Pleskys opened the scoring but that was followed by a three-pointer from Wolves captain N Chaviaris.

Pirates forwards played high and low in the key in attack with big man Luke Atfield picking up two quick baskets and captain Rich Lowe scoring the next basket and then two free throws following a Wolves foul.

Fast breaks from Matt Sharp and Pleskys, including Pleskys’ free throws, saw Pirates steam to a 22-11 run at the end of the first period.

Coach Kev Robbins told Pirates to keep up their intensity with their man defence to force turnovers and guards Stu Hardyman and Marcus Morling did exactly that in the second period, which enabled them to gain control of the ball and set up attacks.

Again Atfield and Lowe worked the ball inside, while Ramunas Udras stepped up to score six points including a massive slum-dunk from a fast break. At the halfway stage Pirates led 44-22.

Scoring came from many of the Pirates in the third with Kev Wilson picking up some back-to-back scores and Sharp sinking a three-pointer. Pirates scored 23 points to lead 67-33 with one quarter left.

Wolves came back in the final quarter with two further three-pointers but Hardyman sunk a a two-point field goal followed by a three-pointer with Matt Wakeling securing both his free throws.

There was good percentage shooting from the Pirates in a game of high intensity.

Next, Pirates are away to Eastbourne Lions, who lost at home to Pirates and were knocked out of the cup by the Bognor side.

PIRATES SCORERS: A Pleskys 16, M Sharp 14, R Lowe 13, K Wilson 10, M Morling 10, M Wakeling 8, R Udras 8, S Hardyman 5, L Atfield 4, J Parker.