Results
D1 Teesside Hornets 135-43 Nunthorpe Velocity
D2 Ryedale Warriors 71-61 Middlesbrough Lions B
D2 Redcar Mariners 86-57 Darlington Storm

The second division of the TBL came alive this week with Darlington Storm’s introduction to the league not going the way they would have liked as they lost away to Redcar Mariners. Middlesbrough Lions were also on the losing end of a tightly contested fixture over the Moors to Ryedale Warriors. The Mariners, with just one win last season now find themselves in unfamiliar, but welcome territory at the top of the division, level with Warriors but with a slightly better points scored difference.

Warriors chief; Martin Roberts was ecstatic with the win over Lions, adding “We had a good crowd watching us today and we showed them that we can be a force in this division. Everyone played well and I hope we can continue this throughout the season.”

Lions were last season’s champions but only one player in Claire Smith featured for the team in last seasons campaign and with such a new team there will be a bedding in period. “The players from last season have been developed and moved up in the club or away to university and this is the purpose of our B team, to develop players, so we had to make it clear to everyone not to get to upset at the loss as they will improve as a team and individually over the coming months.” Said Lions coach; James Thomson.

A 29pt victory for Redcar indicates a team to be wary of and with the development of players such as Tshering Lama and David Budd along with new signing; Hijab Zaheer the team have got an air of confidence this season. Gamanidi did well in response for Darlington Game of the week Teesside Hornets moved into first place alongside Middlesbrough Lions with a bruising 135-43 victory over Nunthorpe Velocity, their second heavy defeat in as many weeks, leaving the side scratching heads as the ponder what went so wrong, but in a small consolation it is two tough games out the way.

The game began in style with a dunk from Luke Thompson and a full court press from the beginning increased the pressure on the visitors as the Hornets extended their points tally for an impressive first quarter lead of 40-15.

Velocity, in much the same fashion as their previous performance against Lions, galvanised in the second quarter and whilst they only added 10pts themselves they were able to plug the gaps in a leaky defence to restrict Teesside to just 24pts. Phil Hale and Chris Lillistone worked hard while Richard Baister produced some nice shots for the Velocity, still though they were down 64-25 at half time.

The third quarter was nothing less than a rout as Velocity struggled to find the basket, scoring just two baskets in the whole quarter for their worst period display of the game. Hornets meanwhile were experiencing no such difficulties and blitzed their opponents for 41pts to take them past the 100 mark.

Hornets maintained their pressure throughout the final quarter with all players enjoying an outstanding game. Velocity played some good basketball under pressure and hit some nice outside shots but it was few and far between, hence the final score.

Top Scorers Hornets - L Thompson 51, Moore 37, M Thompson 24, Farrell 11.

Velocity - Hale 8, Lillistone 8, Largen 8, Baister 8