Pre-Match Reports by BWNL Chief Reporter Omer Hagomer
Match Preview
BWNL Match Preview – RCT Gladiators vs West Coast Warriors – Tip off 1:45 pm
It is going to be a big fight feel on Sunday [3/12/2023] at Rhondda Sports Centre, as the Warriors will leave behind home ground advantage to challenge the Gladiators. RCT Gladiators arguably go in as the favourites, averaging 95 points per game thus far, whereas the West Coast Warriors averaged 55.5 PPG.
The Gladiators are laser focused on remaining undefeated andgetting their 4th win of the season, after superb victories over Swansea Storm, Caerphilly Cobras, and a fresh victory against Mold Magic 88 – 72.
The West Coast Warriors are very driven to get their first win of the season, particularly after tough outings versus Mold Magic and Caerphilly Cobras. Fierce Warriors like A. Gbel, D. Henchie-Jones, and A. Gardner-Smith will test themselves against gifted Gladiators such as L. Williams who averaged (15.5 PPG), O. Williams (25.3 PPG), and R. Williams with aremarkable (25.7 PPG).
BWNL – Cardiff Tribal Hunters vs Cardiff Met Archers
This Sunday [3/12/2023] two titans clash, as both teams are undefeated so far in the Basketball Wales National League. Cardiff Met Archers scored exhilarating victories over the likes of Cardiff City and Kenfig Cougars, with the latest one going down against YNYS Mon Celts 111 – 62. With that being said, Cardiff Tribal Hunters are no strangers to thrilling victories, they defeated YNYS Mon Celts and Kenfig Cougars recently in spectacular fashion.
Archers averaged 111 PPG, while Hunters averaged 85 PPG up to this point. Archers will need their top stars to shine, G. Williams averaging (13 PPG), I. Nickson (15.7 PPG), and D. Lajocies with a staggering (28 PPG). However, the Tribal Hunters will have their own trio ready to compete, T. Peterson averaging (11 PPG), P. Farrelly (12.5 PPG), and E. Andam with an incredible (24.5 PPG).
The Hunters will look to attain their third consecutive win and remain undefeated, but they are facing an experienced team that knows a thing or two about hunting. Archers will look to hit the proverbial bullseye and score their 4th win of the season. Essentially, it comes down to which team wants it more and it remains to be seen whether the Hunters will become the hunted during a highly anticipated showdown.
BWNL – Mold Magic vs RCT Gladiators – Tip-off 2 pm
RCT Gladiators are ready for a fight; they are set to square off with Mold Magic on Sunday [26/11/2023] So far, theGladiators racked up two consecutive wins against Caerphilly Cobras 93 – 67, and Swansea Storm 104 – 47. On the other hand, the Magicians were victorious versus the West Coast Warriors 80 – 53, but they were vanquished by Swansea Storm 90 – 60 earlier in the season.
RCT Gladiators overcame Mold Magic at the trophy semifinals stage last season 78 – 66, they look unstoppablethis season, averaging nearly 99 points per game. Although,the Magicians are not very far behind with 70 points.
The top scorers for Mold Magic who are capable of raising that number include J. Fernandez Garcia, averaging (29) points, J. Loste with (11.5), and D. Evans with (10.5). However, they will have to compete with three outstanding players on the Gladiators side, R. Williams who is a 3-pointers aficionado averaging (20.5) PPG, L. Williams with(15.5) PPG, and O. Williams with (24) PPG.
BWNL Match Preview – YNYS Mon Celts vs Cardiff Met Archers – Tip-off 1:30 pm by Omer Hagomer – BWNL Chief Reporter
Cardiff Met Archers will take a trip to Holyhead Leisure Centre on Sunday [26/11/2023] to take on YNYS Mon Celts.Archers are undefeated so far; they overcame Cardiff City 105 – 102 and overwhelmed Kenfig Cougars 117 – 83 earlier in the season. In contrast, the Celts are recovering from a narrow loss courtesy of Cardiff Tribal Hunters 79 – 74.
It should be noted that last season Cardiff Met Archers came away with the win against YNYS Mon Celts, at the trophy semifinals stage 111 – 72. BWNL fans can expect a mind-blowing performance from J. Wright and P. Fairburn on the Celts side, but for Archers, the list of top scorers includes the usual suspects, Drew Lajocies averaging (27.5 PPG), Marc Moral (18 PPG), and G. Williams (13.5 PPG).
BWNL Match Preview – Cardiff Tribal Hunters vs Kenfig Cougars
by Omer Hagomer – BWNL Chief Reporter
Tip-off 12:45 pm
Cardiff Tribal Hunters will have the home field advantage when they face Kenfig Cougars on Sunday [19/11/2023] at St David’s College. The Cougars are desperate for a win after falling short to the defending champions Cardiff Met Archers earlier in the season 117 – 83. The Hunters on the other hand are going into this game with plenty of confidence, following a hard-fought victory over YNYS Mon Celts 79 – 74.
Kenfig Cougars are looking to join the winning team’s column for the first time this season therefore, they must avoid going down as prey to the Tribal Hunters. The shooting proficiency of Eli Andam, T. Peterson, and P. Farrelly could be one of the decisive factors in this game, but the Cougars have a list of top scorers to rely on, including S. Bunyan, J. Parfitt, and T. Swindley.
Match Preview – by BWNL reporter Omer Hagomer
BWNL – Swansea Storm vs Mold Magic Tip off 1pm
This Saturday [11/11/2023] Swansea Storm look to gain their first win of the season. However, they have a large mountain to climb ahead of them, their opponents Mold Magic carry the momentum after defeating the West Coast Warriors 80 – 53last month.
The Swansea Storm troopers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss against RCT Gladiators earlier in the season, 104 – 47. Mold Magic will have to compete with players like A. Gomme and T. Nightingale who put on a fantastic display against the Gladiators.
On the other hand, Swansea Storm must keep an eye on J. Garcia Fernandez, who scored 29 points against the West Coast Warriors. It is important to note that the Storm will have the home advantage, so it remains to be seen how the Mold Magicians will navigate that after a long day of travel.
Match Previews
BWNL – YNYS Mon Celts vs Cardiff City – Tip off 1:30 pm
The Celts will welcome Cardiff City to the Holyhead Leisure Centre on Sunday [12/11/2023]. The game looks promising, as both teams will battle it out and leave everything on the court to score a much-needed victory. Celts are very motivated after a narrow defeat against the Tribal Hunters 79 – 74. Similarly, Cardiff City are eager to make a statement after a 3-point loss to Cardiff Met Archers 105 – 102.
After a month of BWNL action, Cardiff City currently sit in third place at pool B, followed by the Celts at fourth place.The top scorers for YNYS Mon Celts include P. Fairburn and D. Stalman. Cardiff City will have C. Shannon and Z. Mohamed, two incredible players who are capable of scoring 20 + points.
BWNL – West Coast Warriors vs Caerphilly Cobras – Tip off 12 pm
The Cobras will depart Caerphilly on Sunday [12/11/2023] to face the West Coast Warriors at Plascrug Leisure Centre. Both teams will look to recover from heavy setbacks earlier in the season, as the Warriors were bested by Mold Magic 80 – 53and the Cobras came short against the RCT Gladiators 93 – 67.
The two clubs will compete with one goal in mind, scoring their first win of the season. Although, the Warriors have the edge in terms of home advantage, on the Cobras side, fans can expect a fantastic performance from A. Penman and J. Parfitt.However, the West Coast Warriors will have players ready, willing, and able to pose a challenge to Caerphilly Cobras, the list includes A. Gbel, A. Hammel, and M. Ferreyhough.
3 BWNL Games across Wales this weekend 28/29 October 2023
Game 1 BWNL – Caerphilly Cobras vs RCT Gladiators – Tip-off 12:45 pm – Saturday 28/10/2023
Caerphilly Cobras have the home advantage as they take on RCT Gladiators at Abervalley YMCA. RCT Gladiators opened the season with a dominant victory against league newcomers Swansea Storm 104 – 47. They look to continue their winning ways, this time without their home crowd at Rhondda cheering them on. Can the Cobras capitalise to secure their first win of the season? They will need to stop Rhys Williams, who scored an impressive five 3-pointers against the Storm.
Game 2. BWNL – Kenfig Cougars vs Cardiff Met Archers – Tip-off 2 pm Sunday 29/10/2023
Kenfig Cougars begin their campaign against defending champions Cardiff Met Archers, who beat Cardiff City 105-102 in a dramatic game earlier this month. Drew LaJocies starred in that game with 28 points. Cougars will hope that the atmosphere inside Kenfig Comprehensive will play a big factor as they look to make the most of home advantage.
Game 3 BWNL – YNYS Mon Celts vs Cardiff Tribal Hunters– Tip-off 1:30 pm Sunday 29/10/2023
These two teams met in the 2022 Plate Final, with Cardiff Tribal Hunters coming out on top. However, the last time they faced each other – in October 2022 – YNYS Mon Celts were victorious, claiming a 97-75 win. Hunters ended up finishing last season on a high by retaining the Plate with a 84-74 victory over Caerphilly Cobras, Gregory MacMillan scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds and three assists in an MVP performance. But with home advantage, the Celts will fancy their chances of taking the win at the Holyhead Leisure Centre.
Omer Hagomer – BWNL Reporter