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KESTRELS SLIP TO DEFEAT IN HOME OPENER WITH BARKING

Image Courtesy Dan Crowther
Image Courtesy Dan Crowther

Solent Kestrels dropped to their first defeat of the 2025/26 NBL Division 1 season on Saturday evening, as Barking Abbey snatched a 71-90 victory from the Solent Sports Complex. The loss moves Kestrels to 1-1 on the season so far, after a disappointing performance from the hosts.


Ash Briggs had 17 points and 8 rebounds for Solent, whilst Andre Arissol added 15 and Luke Busumbru 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.


As expected with two quality sides they traded scores early on with Ash Briggs and Andre Arissol netting for the Kestrels. A 7-0 run through the midpoint of the quarter for the home team capped off by an Ethan Round triple, gave them a 14-6 advantage, forcing a Barking timeout. Kestrels briefly pushed the gap to 10 points at 19-9 however Abbey rallied to close the first quarter and cut the gap to just 2 points at 23-21.


Barking tied things up quickly in the second quarter before Kestrels restored a 4 point advantage as Luke Busumbru waltzed his way to the basket through two defenders for the pretty finish. An 8-2 run with a little under 4 minutes left in the half for BA saw them take a 2 point lead, forcing Coach Guymon into a timeout. After a low scoring period, both teams saw a flurry of scores late in the half, with Andre Arissol and Ellis Tomking trading scores, Kestrels trailed 37-42 at the half.


Kestrels wasted no time in trimming the deficit to just a point at 47-48 with a little under 3 minutes gone in the third period but that was short lived as a 7-0 run for the visitors put them back up 8 points forcing the hosts into a timeout. Solent responded out of the timeout through Wayne Kitenge and then again through Busumbru as they were able to cut the arrears to 3 at 52-55. However Barking closed the quarter the stronger of the teams and regained an 8 point advantage with 10 minutes to play, 55-63.


The lead was cut to just 5 points as Ash Briggs scored on back to back plays ay 61-66 but Kestrels never got closer to the visitors for the remainder of the game. A 6-0 run in reply put the Barking lead into double figures forcing Coach Guymon into his second timeout of the half with a little over 6 minutes to play. The visitors quickly pushed the lead out to 19 as Kestrels were unable to find scores on the offensive end and despite a late rally, Barking took home the 71-90 victory.


Kestrels Coach Matt Guymon expressed his disappointment after his sides first loss of the season, “Despite a strong start to the game, we struggled to adjust to Barking Abbey’s three-point shooting and couldn’t quite find our offensive rhythm. Credit to Barking — they played an excellent game and took us out of our flow at both ends of the floor.”


Kestrels are on the road twice this coming weekend as they head to London Elite (6:15pm) min league play on Saturday evening before heading to Division 3 outfit Exeter Spartans (2pm) in the National Cup on Sunday. Tickets for upcoming home games are on sale now; https://www.solentkestrels.co.uk/tickets



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