BASKETBALL: Nieva and Wallhead deliver as Thunder get win

And the Northants team just managed to hold on to victory, securing a 72-68 success.

In the topsy-turvy game, Thunder’s scoring was led by David Nieva and Ed Wallhead with 16 points apiece.

Good support came from Shaq Ntumba and Jake Nailor, with 13 and 10 points respectively.

Northants Thunder 63 Cardiff Met Archers 75

A nightmare final quarter was to cost Thunder dear as they lost to Cardiff Met Archers in Men’s Division Three North.

Cardiff won the fourth period of play 26-14 to secure the victory.

In the disappointing defeat only Jacob Holt was able to score in double figures with 14 points.

Useful contributions came from Devon Adams, and Johnny Yates but Thunder will not be pleased to see they were outscored by 49 points to 29 in the second half.

Northants Thunder 83 Ilkeston Outlaws 25

After the tough game against Worcester Bears on the previous weekend, Thunder travelled to Ilkeston Outlaws looking for a morale boosting win.

And they were to get it with ease, strolling to a big Under 14 Boys East Midlands II Conference success.

Thunder saw a total of four players scoring in double figures, led by Jonathan Ntumba with 22 points.

Ntumba was well supported by Patrick Adedeji with 17 points, while Henri Berry and Ashley Kitchen displayed respectable scoring performances, registering 12 and 10 points respectively.

Northants BC Fixtures

Saturday, February 18: Junior Men travel to Sporting Club Albion, Senior Men travel to Sussex Bears

Sunday: Under 14 Girls travel to NEBC Titans

NEBC Titans 78 Worcester Wolves 71

NEBC Titans produced the shock result of the weekend in the Senior Women NBL Division Two as they beat play-off chasing Worcester Wolves 78-71.

With Sascha Thompson and Mica Denton scoring well, Titans were always in touch with their visitors and they competed well with Thompson and Esme Kinghorn firing and Georgia Collins executing at the end of the fast break.

Denton, Ester Alake, Thompson and Kinghorn were influential in a 16-2 Titans run.

And, with the home side defence standing firm, Wolves found themselves behind as Titans secured their victory.

Titans’ top scorers were Thompson (30), Kinghorn (20) and Collins (11).

Trafford Magic 83 NEBC Titans 78

Titans made the tough trip to Manchester to take on Trafford Magic in the U16 Boys North Premier League.

The Northants boys opened the first quarter in fine form as Jacob Cirtautas caused Trafford problems in the paint and this, combined with Ben Nailer and Jude Carmichael converting in transition, ensured a healthy 11-point lead was gained.

Magic turned things around in the second period but in the third, Sam Grant stepped up along with Ollie Dominique as the two teams exchanged baskets and scoring runs.

Early in the deciding quarter, Nailer took a charge which sent him crashing to the floor and resulted in him being taken off to hospital.

Titans rallied and started well through Grant but a 5-0 run to Magic in the ninth minute was Titans’ undoing as they were edged out 83-78.

Titans’ top scorers were Grant (23), Hamilton (18), Cirtautas (11) and Dominique (10).

NEBC Titans 101 Worcester Wolves 77

Titans dominated their match at Worcester Wolves in the U14 Boys Midlands II Conference League as they claimed a 101-77 success.

Titans won three of the four periods as all players picked up fouls.

Titans Fixtures

NEBC Titans have a triple bill of action at Weavers Leisure Centre on Sunday starting with the under-14 girls against Northants at 1.30pm, followed by the under-14 boys against Worcester at 3.30pm before the under-16 boys round things off against Cheshire Wire at 5.30pm.