BASINGSTOKE Blizzards basketball team lost their last two outings, going down 85-39 against South Bucks Comets and 85-70 to Craftsman.

The Blizzards stayed with the Comets for the first five minutes, but were then blown away by a very professional and well-drilled side.

The Comets demonstrated why they are unbeaten and top of the league, but the Basingstoke players acquitted themselves honourably, notably Kev Beckingham, who was making his Wessex League Division One debut.

Young Ben Tauro shared point guard duties with Doug Awad, Adam Paddon and Joey Haynes, and they all worked hard on defence.

In their previous game, against Craftsman, the lead changed hands numerous times in Blizzards’ 85-70 loss.

The Blizzards struggled with the rebounds, especially in the second half, when the absence of big Joe Snelgrove was felt.

They got back into the game and were only four points adrift with 90 seconds to play, but the foul count was quickly adding up.

Sixteen fouls in the last quarter saw two players unable to finish the game and with four others on four fouls, they faded badly.

The next Blizzard games at home are against Woodley Warriors tonight and then on December 16 they are in Karl Taylor Cup action against Hungerford Dogs. Both games will be played at Queen Mary’s College, starting at 8.25pm.

Scoring (v South Bucks): Snelgrove 12pts, Preston 8, Paddon, Awad 6, Taylorson, Tauro, Beckingham 2, Damion Isaac 1.

Scoring (v Craftsman): Gerrard 37, Aaron Taylorson 16, Adam Paddon 5, Tom Mavronicholas, Tom Fulford 4, Joey Haynes 3, Jim Darlow 1.