Worthing Thunder slay Bradford Dragons

Max Richardson was a key man for Worthing Thunder / Picture: Kyle Hemsley

After an early start from Worthing on Saturday for the 2pm tip-off, the Thunder were expecting a difficult game. But a disciplined performance led to Thunder outplaying the hosts to run out convincing winners.

The first quarter was open end to end basketball with Thunder gaining an early six-point lead through two quick treys from Ishmael Fontaine. The Dragons showed some fire as they pulled back to lead at the first interval by one point at 17-16.

The second period was again a nip and tuck affair with the lead changing regularly. With never more than three points between the teams it was looking like it would go to the wire.

Two quick three pointers from Zaire Taylor were the highlight of the quarter as both teams seemed happy to trade baskets. As the half ran down Dragons held a single digit lead but on the buzzer Taylor hit a two for Thunder to narrowly take the quarter. The points saw Thunder lead by 44-43 at the mid-game break.

The third quarter showed Thunder at their best as from the start they upped the match tempo.Two quick long range threes from Jack Sunderland stretched the lead to 16 points and despite spirited resistance from the home team Thunder maintained their superiority.

A fine all-round team performance kept the result in no doubt with great offensive drives from Taylor, Sunderland, Max Richardson and Howard Crawford kept the lead intact. Crawford also made four blocks in a great all-round performance. With a lead of 69-57 Thunder just had to play out the final stanza to complete a well-merited victory.

Thunder relaxed in the final ten minutes as everyone contributed to the scoring. Still leading by 12 points with under a minute to play youngster Brandon Laryea scored his first points for the Thunder since his signing last week - hopefully the first of many.

With the final score of 87-73 Thunder duly took a well deserved victory to make the long journey home much easier.

Scorers: Jack Sunderland 18 points, Zaire Taylor 18 points (7 rebounds, 4 assists,1 steal.) Tom Ward 13 points, (6 rebounds, 1 assist.) Max Richardson 12 points. Howard Crawford 10 points, (5 rebounds, 4 blocks.) Ishmael Fontaine 9 points. Dominic Ives 5 points (2rebounds, 1 assist,) Brandon Laryea 2 points.