Riders can't weather the Thunder storm
Thunder went into the game without Cameron Hildreth who earlier in the week transferred his services to BBL side Surrey Scorchers.
What would the loss of Thunder's top scoring star man do to the side? Worries proved were unfounded as Thunder took on the Loughborough Riders. Usually a tough battle ensues in games against the midlanders but on this occasion Thunder swept aside the opposition.
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Hide AdThe first quarter was fairly even but with Thunder leading from the off. Tom Ward, as ever, was impressive - leading from the front - along with Howard Crawford who was proving a rock in defence as he helped push Thunder's lead to double digits! Only a couple of treys brought the visitors back into the game as the period ended with a score of 17-11.
The second stanza saw Thunder begin to take control of the game as once again the defence worked hard to great effect. With Crawford being a big scoring threat and Dominic Ives tough in the defence, Thunder were looking confident. At the halfway stage the lead had grown to 11 points and it was 36-25.
If the first half had been low scoring the third period was anything but. Thunder added 30 points as their domination continued. Holding the visitors to just 11 points, the lead grew to 66-36. The period was a display of how to finish a game as a contest - Thunder really wanted to win this one.
The final period was an end to end affair as Thunder used it to play the entire bench with the game never in doubt. Jack Sunderland, Ish Fontaine, Nick Ballone and Josh Goddard all got valuable court time along with new boy Keiran Farrell, who had a good five minute run-out.
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Hide AdThunder had really warmed to the occasion to give the fans watching on the live stream something to cheer.
Thunder are next at home this Sunday at 4pm when Hemel Storm will be the visitors to the Durrington Arena. Clashes with Hemel are always full of drama so it should be a good watch.
Thunder scorers- Howard Crawford 24 (8 rebounds). Zaire Taylor 16 (6 assists/6 steals ). Tom Ward 15 (9 assists). Dominic Ives 11 (4 rebounds). Ismael Fontaine 7. Max Richardson 6 (6 rebounds). Josh Goddard 5. Nick Ballone 3. Jack Sunderland 2 (5 rebounds).