THE Basingstoke Blizzards’ junior section is now in full flow and all three teams have been in Solent Junior League action.

The under-16s enjoyed their first win, beating Dorchester 45-29, having lost 44-53 to Southampton Eagles earlier in the day.

Matthieu Rident was their top scorer in both matches, amassing 52 points from the two games in a good all-round team performance.

The under-12s and under-14s have also started their league campaigns.

The youngest team beat Winchester 26-16 and then lost 48-14 against a very strong Eastleigh Kestrels side.

The under-14s suffered defeats against two well-drilled outfits in Tres Barriles and Eastleigh Kestrels, with Jack Bond and Ben Firrell showing great skills.

The teams are next in action in January.

The senior Blizzards team returned to winning ways as they beat visiting Woodley Warriors 80-64 to keep their play-off hopes alive.

In an even start to the game, the home side led 22-21 at the first buzzer.

Joey Haynes opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, quickly followed by two more baskets from Rob Gerrard, and by half-time the Blizzards had a 10-point cushion as they led 43-33.

By the end of the third quarter the hosts led 61-52, but they lost Joe Snelgrove to a wrist injury.

After the game, coach Marcel Mavronicholas said: “It was a great effort by all.

“The two young point guards, Ben Tauro and Luke Karmazyn, were faultless when coming on to give Tom Fulford a breather.

“Adam Paddon and Jim Darlow were strong in defence and Tom Mavronicholas and Doug Awad caused Woodley headaches.

“We are hopeful that Joe’s injury is just a bad bruise.”

Scoring: Gerrard 31pts, Snelgrove 15, Taylorson 11, Fulford 10, Awad 4, Haynes 3, Mavronicholas, Karmazyn, Paddon 2.