WORCESTER Wolves Seconds won their first match of the season, defeating Plymouth Cannons 80-64 in English Basketball League Division Four.

Wolves took a commanding first-half lead of 48-29 at the University of Worcester with excellent all-round play.

Although the visitors rallied to get within eight points, fine moves from Damian Cope and Charlie Higgs enabled Wolves to win by 16.

Coach Guy Evans said: “We played well and many of our squad had valuable court time.

“We controlled the game throughout, and even when Plymouth applied some pressure mid-way through the second period, we defended well.

“It sets us up nicely for our National Shield game tomorrow at Reading Rockets where we will have to be at our very best to get any sort of result.”

Top-scorer was Cope with 15 followed by Higgs (12).

Wolves Under 18s travelled to the City of Birmingham Mets for their first Midlands Conference game and returned home with a superb 83-78 win.

They executed the coaches’ game-plan well as Steve Nugent opened the scoring followed by two three-pointers from guards Max Whittle and Paul Bessent.

The first quarter ended 28-19 but the lead was shaved to just six points at half-time as the Mets proved more determined and closed down the spaces.

Wolves went on the offensive in the third quarter as they extended their advantage to 17 points as a fine all-round display produced a great win.

Top-scorers for Wolves were Whittle (21), Bessent (13) and Nugent (12).

Coach Steve Bessent said: “Although the score was close in the end, we felt we were better than a five-point margin but the team performance was the highlight.

“Everyone contributed well and everyone stuck together well when Birmingham stepped up.

“We must continue this progress with a similar performance against Northampton in our next game today.”

Wolves Under 14s lost 72-43 at Leicester Sparks in the Midlands Conference.

Emma-Jane Gardner, who helps run the team with coach Rob Crump, said: “The team played well considering it was their first ever game at this level in the National Leagues.

“I do think, however, that they all had a real shock as they quickly realised how much tougher it is to play the likes of Leicester rather than the school games they have been used to.”