BCB RECAP: READING AND HEMEL EMERGE AS ONLY UNBEATEN SIDES

The BCB League table continues to shuffle around in its infancy, with the Aldermore Reading Rockets and Hemel Storm maintaining their unbeaten starts.

Aldermore Reading Rockets secured two wins, while the Storm bagged a home success. Meanwhile, the City of Birmingham Rockets opened this week’s slate with a win.

Key Storylines

• Reading secure two wins in their trip up north to remain unbeaten
• Hemel also flawless after withstanding the Hurricanes
• Birmingham keep pace with win on Friday night

The action got underway on Friday night, as the City of Birmingham Rockets scored an 84-71 triumph over the Nottingham Hoods. Eric Donaldson was one of two Birmingham players to secure double-doubles, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Ronald Blain added 18 points and 10 boards for the victors.

The Aldermore Reading Rockets’ northern adventures were a rousing success as they defeated the Yorkshire Dragons 91-83 on Sunday. Mo Walker was utterly dominant with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Corey Johnson had a game-high 30 for Yorkshire.

Around 24 hours earlier, the Rockets overcame the Newcastle Knights 94-79 in the North-East, using a dominant third quarter to build a lead they held in a rematch of last season’s Playoff final.

Jaxon Nap led the way for Reading with 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Luke House had 27 for Newcastle.

Yorkshire’s loss to Reading capped a disappointing weekend, as they had lost away 84-80 to the Loughborough Riders on Saturday.

The Hemel Storm also found success, defeating the Bristol Hurricanes 101-93. Jabari Nurse led the way with 20 points, cancelling out Ben Baker-McCann’s 33 for Bristol.

Derby Trailblazers had to come from behind to beat the Essex Rebels 78-77 at home, improving to 4-1 for the season so far.

But it was by no means pretty, as the Blazers trailed by five with three minutes left after a Tre Baumgardner basket. However, the hosts plugged away and tied it with under two minutes left on a three-point play by Jai Pathmarajah.

They then took the lead for good with 50 seconds left thanks to Rob Marsden and hung on as Kyron Martin’s desperation three at the horn missed its mark.

Pathmarajah and Marsden had 18 points apiece for Derby, with the latter pulling down 15 rebounds. Baumgardner had 28 for Essex.

London Cavaliers kept up their decent start to the campaign, as they outclassed the winless Bristol Flyers II 92-69 in Uxbridge. Juan Manning led the way with 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists.