Wow, wow, wow—what a game we had this weekend at home against Bath Basketball! The day had it all: a doubleheader featuring the U18s hosting Solent Kestrels, a referee arriving so late that there were plans to grab an official from the crowd, a heartfelt tribute to basketball legend Mike Spaid, and a debut halftime performance by Faded Dance Group. Oh, and let’s not forget the nail-biter of a men’s game against Bath Basketball!

With this being a clash between 2nd and 3rd in the table, the stakes were high—not just for the game itself but for the long-term playoff and promotion race. Bath opened the scoring with a 3-pointer after winning the tip-off, but Force traded baskets throughout the first quarter, maintaining control and composure. Even as some shots failed to drop, the team kept their heads up. The quarter ended with Force holding a narrow 1-point lead.

Bath’s frequent substitutions kept Force on high alert, as Bath’s offensive threats constantly changed. Early in the second quarter, a lighthearted moment stole the spotlight when Bath missed two consecutive free throws, leading to Haribo being distributed to delighted young fans in the crowd—and even to the match official, for those eagle-eyed spectators!

The back-and-forth action continued through the second quarter, but Bath began to edge ahead, building a 10-point lead with just over three minutes left in the half. A quick timeout by Force stopped Bath’s momentum, allowing Force to fight back with sharp shooting and strong defence. If not for Bath’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer, they would have held only a 1-point lead at halftime. As it stood, Bath led 47-43.

Halftime featured the impressive debut of the Faded Dance Group, keeping the crowd entertained before the second half resumed. The third quarter mirrored the first two, with both teams trading baskets. Force chipped away at Bath’s lead and levelled the score by the end of the third quarter, 67-67.

The fourth quarter was a heart-stopper for Force fans. Even when Force built an 88-79 lead with just 43 seconds remaining, Bath wasn’t ready to concede. A couple of quick steals and three-pointers—affectionately dubbed “Bath Bombs”—brought Bath dangerously close. Despite the pressure, Force held firm, closing out the game with an 88-84 victory.

This hard-fought win moved Force to the top of NBL D3 Pool 3 with an impressive 6-0 record. Don’t miss the chance to see if Force can stretch their unbeaten streak to 7-0 in their next home game against the Surrey 89ers II! Tickets are available from just £3.00 - get your tickets now!

Report written by Andy Rowlands.
Photo - @alexsphotosfilms