Hemel Storm clinch overtime victory against Worthing Thunder

At Thunder's new arena, Durrington High School, the hometown favourites took on the high-flying Hemel Storm. With nothing between the teams for the entire 40 minutes it culminated with a heart stopping two-point shot on the buzzer by Zaire Taylor to take an enthralling battle into overtime, in which Storm did the business.

The first quarter saw Thunder take an early lead but as with the rest of the game Storm battled back - and at the end of the period the game was tied at 18-18. The impressive Tom Ward was standing out as he controlled Thunder's game ably backed up by Howard Crawford and Zaire Taylor.

The second period was much the same - back and forth the game swung with the lead changing regularly. If this had been at Thunder's regular home the atmosphere would have been intense. However with more than 1,000 viewers online there was still a crowd and still plenty of excitement, just not as we know it.

Ward was at the centre of everything on court as Thunder fought back. They were slightly unlucky to be down by three at the break as an enormous trey on the buzzer by Storm veteran Walid Mumuni took the visitors into the locker room with a 37-40 lead.

The third stanza was again a fast all-action contest with both sides giving a great exhibition of basketball. Thunder pulled into a seven-point lead only for the Storm to reply quickly. As the period came to the end Thunder held a single point lead but once again the visitors hit back with a big three-pointer to take the lead once more at 57-59. Everything to play for in the final period.

The final period was a lower-scoring session as the pressure mounted on the two teams. Once again it was the Thunder forcing the pace but the resolute Storm hitting back regularly. The three-pointers were not dropping for either team and as the last seconds approached it was Storm who held the lead by just two points.

With under 10 seconds remaining Thunder had one last possession and Taylor had control of the ball. Pressing into the tough visitors' defence it looked unlikely he would score but somehow he got the shot away as time elapsed. The ball hit the net as the buzzer sounded and a remarkable game had finished 71-71. Five minutes of overtime were to come.

Storm started it strongly and pulled into a lead that would finally prove too much for a gallant Thunder and as time ran out the visitors held on for a win by 79-86. This was a disappointing result but a remarkable game - again the Thunder players and officials can be proud of the team.

Now it's on to an away game against Bradford Dragons on Saturday.

Scorers: Tom Ward 23 points (8 rebounds, 8 assists). Howard Crawford 20 points (12 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks). Zaire Taylor 16 points (7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal) Jack Sunderland 9 points (4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1block) Dominic Ives 5 points (6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) Max Richardson 4 points (11rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) Ishmael Fontaine 2points (2 rebounds)