Raiders weather Hurricanes first quarter storm

PLYMOUTH Raiders took the South West derby honours at a packed Life Centre on Sunday after weathering a first half shooting masterclass by Bristol Hurricanes and engineering a fantastic comeback effort from the Green Machine.

- By RAIDERS CORRESPONDENT

Tom Woods

Bristol have had a mixed start to the D2 league campaign having beaten Cardiff Archers the previous day, and went into what proved to be a tough double header weekend against a full strength Raiders side, ready to follow up their own opening league weekend win against Portsmouth Force two weeks ago.

Despite early first quarter exchanges, it was the visitor's star player and point guard Kobi Hill who powered the Hurricanes into the early lead with the first quarter ending 13-24 to the visitors.

The early period of the second period continued in the same vein with Hill making three point shots at will and Raiders for much of the first half had no answer. The audible groans from the fans rang out as Raiders were unable to find a defensive option to stop the barrage of three points from Hill, who dropped 31 points, including eight three's by halftime.