ANOTHER ROAD WIN IN THE CAPITAL SEES KESTRELS IMPROVE TO 5-0 IN NBL DIVISION 1
Another trip to London and another away win for the Kestrels as they overcome the Greenwich Titans 73-64 to move onto a 5-0 record, with the Oaklands Wolves standing in between the Kestrels and top spot. 17 points off the bench from new signing, Jordan Simpson as he saw much of the ball on debut, which allowed for a changed look to the Kestrels’ rotation in the win on Sunday.
Even with the added rotation, the core five starting the game remained the same and Kailyn Panchal-Bedward’s impressive scoring so far this season was on show early, as he laced a triple 20 seconds in.
Fresh faced but also fresh legged, the Kestrels opened with a neat 10-0 run before the Titans even got on the scoresheet.
First scoring contribution for the newbie Si
mpson came from downtown, nailing a three to send the Kestrels back into a double-digit lead at 18-8.
New blood in the team, same offensive flow. Simpson pushed the pace in transition to rack up five points in his first two minutes in a Kestrels uniform.
Matthew Danies followed the high-rising Simpson with a high-flying shot from behind the arc to give the Kestrels a 15-point differential.
The home side had more to offer offensively, Jack Green scored from range to cut the gap for Greenwich to five at 28-23.
That lead became four… then two and then one with five minutes left in the half and the hosts had dragged themselves back into the game.
Up two at the break, thanks to a Simpson jump shot, gave the Kestrels at least a little bit of breathing room, although finite, every bucket was crucial to leave with an away win.
Simpson’s six points in the third quarter kickstarted another Kestrels lead, ending the ten-minute period at 52-43.
The fourth quarter saw the return of the starters to the floor, and it worked a treat, Louis Weaver, Andre Arissol and Ash Briggs scoring to fire the Kestrels into another double-digit lead.
Consistent buckets throughout the fourth quarter kept the win a close certainty, but Greenwich maintained their fight until the final possession.
Another gritty away win to keep the unbeaten run for the Kestrels ahead of a double header next weekend.
Box Score - FIBA LiveStats
The league action continues this Saturday at the SSC as the Men’s side host Barking Abbey at 6pm, a game which is usually guaranteed action. Tickets for that game are available here - Senior Men vs. Barking Abbey - NBL Division 1 Men | Solent Kestrels.
As mentioned, it is a double header, as the Men’s National Cup campaign continues on Sunday with Division 2 Worthing Thunder & Bears travel along the south coast ready for a 1pm tip-off. Tickets for Sunday’s action are available here - Senior Men vs. Worthing Thunder & Bears - Men's National Cup | Solent Kestrels.
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