Hornets: 69

Falcons: 83

Hornets lose their first home league game of the season to an athletic Falcons team who proved they could all shoot.

Q1 was a tight affair with both teams showing prowess from the outside and the ability to drive into the zone. For the Hornets Sam Barnard proved a handful from the post and Andrew Rushton also scored from close in. Falcons responded with some excellent individual work through the zone. Tom Lee loves playing against a zone and planted three 3 pointers in a row. But Falcons had brought their shooting boots too and pulled themselves back into the game. Tush brought the lead back and Guy Johnson added from the line but sloppy defence at the end of the quarter handed the lead back to the Falcons. Hornets down by 1.

Hornets swapped to a zone defence at the start of Q2 to counter the inside threat and paid dearly. Falcons with an array of National League players needed no further invitation to show off their shooting skills. Hornet Offence had dried and Hornets shipped an unanswered 12 points that was to cost them the game. Guy and Steve Arnold, on his season debut, showed a never say die attitude and added hard worked points on the inside. Barney finished a couple of “And 1” moves but Falcons were scoring freely at the other end and Hornets were 15 down at the break.

Hornets continually tried to chip away at the deficit in Q3 Tush and Barny leading the charge and Tom chipping in with another 3 pointer. But with the Falcons scoring freely headway was hardly made. A late surge from Guy, John Whelan and Andy Sienkiewicz did close the gap but John would be missing from the last quarter, picking up his last foul by offering the ref too much advice. Hornets down by 11.

Q4 was a tight and cagy affair. Scoring was slow. Barney and Tush in particular lead the effort but the Falcons knew what was required to protect their lead and shut the game out from the Hornets. Falcons ran out, deserved winners by 14.

Top Scorer – Tush 25 Points

Played Out of their skin – Tush able to score inside and outside against tough defence. Great debut from Steve Arnold too, multiple steals in a strong defence performance.

Best Basket – John Whelan pulls a rebound and outlets to Steve who dribbles into the zone and reverses for Guy to finish at speed – great fast break

Must Improve - Turnovers – too much dribbling played into the Falcons hands.