Keep up-to-date with the Pirates 2010/2011 Quest...
WEEK DATE DAY No Home team Away Team Score
Pirates narrowly lose thrilling opening game of season.
The Dover Pirates failed by a matter of seconds to record a win in their opening game of the 2010/2011 season on the road. They lost to Tenterden Tornados by just 2 points at the start of their campaign (67-65).
Dover started slowly, going 8 points down in 2 minutes, but came back strong to take the first quarter convincingly 24-16 with buckets from new signing Spencer, veteran Leslie and young gun Sanders.
Tenterden then won the second period 22-16 meaning the Pirates went in half time winning 40-38.
Dover then went 7 points down in the third, losing it 14-7 as Leslie was carried off with a serious ankle injury. Tenterden stepped up the pace and also a host of referee's calls didn't go Dover's way.
The final quarter was a very tense and close affair, full of twists and turns and a gripping climax. Baskets from Snelling, Spratling and Antosiak meant that Dover closed down the gap and were drawing the game 65-65 with 10 seconds to go. The game looked set for overtime but the Tornados then stole the ball, drove to basket and got the winning 2 points as the buzzer sounded.
The Pirates should hold their heads very high as in the reverse fixture last year Tenterden romped to a 33 point win (92-59). So for Dover to have closed that gap to just 2 points in 12 months deserves tremendous recognition to their team spirit and newly appointed coach Andy Stewart.
The game saw promising and strong debuts from Joe Spencer, Ricky Williamson and Kye Ward, notching up 20 points between them.
The Pirates next game sees them take on UKC in the League on 18 October (at home)- they would love to see your support.
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Alex Snelling- 14, Harry Sanders- 12, Joe Spencer- 12, Chris Spratling- 8, Ricky Williamson- 8, Bart Antosiak- 6, Neal Leslie- 5, Chris Brooks (captain), Nick Moore, Kye Ward, Andy Mayo, Shemuel Sheikh, Nik Niksic, Andy Stewart- (coach)
Quarter scores: 1st- 16-24, 2nd- 22-16, 3rd- 14-7, 4th- 15-18.
Pirates still looking for their first league win.
The Dover Pirates suffered at home to UKC 94-49 in a very physical and tough East Kent Basketball League game (Monday 18). The final score was somewhat harsh on Dover's efforts as they played with tremendous passion, and determination.
The Pirates started slowly, losing the first period 27-6 but stepped up their game in their second, to go into half time 48-22 down.
Dover came out pumped up in the third period with Antosiak, Snelling and Ward playing some strong defence, but UKC matched the Pirates efforts edging further into the lead, taking it 22-15.
The final quarter saw Dover throw everything they had at UKC with a handful of baskets from Sanders, Moore, Spratling and Williamson, but their efforts were all in vain as the away team took the final period 25-12.
The game saw promising debuts for new signings Dean Jordan who netted 3 points and young Shemuel Sheikh.
The Pirates next game sees them take on Whitstable in the League on Friday 29 October (away)- they would love to see your support on the road.
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Harry Sanders- 15, Nick Moore- 10, Ricky Williamson- 7, Nik Niksic- 6, Chris Spratling- 5, Dean Jordan- 3, Bart Antosiak- 3, Chris Brooks (c), Alex Snelling, Joe Spencer, Kye Ward, Shemuel Sheikh, Andy Stewart- (coach)
Quarter scores: 1st- 6-27, 2nd- 16-21, 3rd- 15-22, 4th- 12-25.
Dover Pirates suffered a heavy 100-43 defeat on the road to Whitstable in a tough, physical East Kent Basketball League game (Fri 29).
Whitstable started strongly taking the first quarter 21-4 and the second 18-9, despite Dover stepping up their game. The half time score read 39-13.
The Pirates, who were without 4 key players, then slipped even further behind losing the third 30-14, with Spratling, Sanders and Niksic playing some strong defence.
The final quarter inevitably went to Whitstable 31-16, but saw attractive baskets from Williamson, Moore and Leslie.
Williamson top scored for Dover with 12, whilst the game saw a promising debut for new signing young Peter Knight, who picked himself up 2 points.
The Pirates' next league game sees them take on Folkestone B on Mon 01 Nov at home. They would love your support.
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Ricky Williamson- 12, Nick Moore (c) - 9, Neal Leslie- 7, Harry Sanders- 4, Nik Niksic- 4
Chris Spratling- 3, Peter Knight- 2, Dean Jordan- 1, Joe Spencer- 1, Kye Ward, Andy Mayo
Andy Stewart- (coach)
Quarter scores:
4 01.11.10 Cup game vs Folkestone B (home) 65-56 W Pirates Advance...
Pirates advance in cup as they claim their first win of the season
Dover Pirates claimed a crucial 65-56 win against Folkestone Saints B in the first round of the EKBL Cup, their first of the season.
Dover started strongly taking the first period 16-12 and edged further into the lead taking the second 19-17, with baskets from Snelling, Spratling and Williamson, meaning they went into half time 35-29 up.
The third period saw a stalemate (16-16) as the teams matched each other's blows. But Dover came out strongly in the fourth, ensuring they claimed that vital win, taking it 14-11 with more buckets from Sanders, Ward, Knight and Moore.
Leslie and Spencer top scored for Dover (10 apiece), whilst the game saw a promising return for Beatty, who has been out injured for a number of months, scoring 7.
The win will boost the Pirates' confidence going into their next league game against Herne Bay A on Wed 10 (away).
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Nick Moore- 6, Chris Spratling- 6, Kye Ward- 4, Peter Knight- 2, Dean Jordan, Chris Brooks (c), Andy Stewart- (coach)
Quarter scores: 1st- 16-12, 2nd- 19-17, 3rd- 16-16, 4th- 14-11
Pirates lose close match on the road
Dover Pirates were just edged out 65-55 by Herne Bay A in the EKBL when the two sides met in the Bay on Wed 10. The very close game thrilled from start to end.
The Pirates started strongly, scoring first, but lost the first quarter 17-11. Herne Bay faltered in the second and Dover capitalized, bringing the half time score to a close- 31-30.
Unfortunately, they then failed to build on this comeback and slipped behind in the third, 21-14, setting the fourth period up for a tense and frantic finish.
In their attempts to win back the match, Ward was disqualified from the arena due to a controversial ejection call, which cost Dover 4 points and meant they went down 14-12 in the final quarter. Dover had been back on the front foot up until that point, but in the dying minutes couldn't close the 10 point gap once it had been created.
Stand in coach Spratling, who has been playing basketball with broken ribs since the first game of the season, was proud of his team's efforts, stating "we all gave 100%". Leslie and Williamson top scored for Dover with 11 apiece.
The Pirates next league game is against Folkestone A on Mon 14 at home.
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Neal Leslie- 11, Ricky Williamson- 11, Nick Moore- 9, Chris Spratling (coach)- 6, Harry Sanders- 5, Matthew Beatty- 5, Alex Snelling- 4, Joe Spencer- 2, Shemuel Sheikh- 2, Kye Ward, Chris Brooks (c)
Quarter scores: 1st- 17-11, 2nd- 13-18, 3rd- 21-14, 4th- 14-12
Pirates get first league win!
Passion and determination inspired Dover to their first League win of the 2010/2011 season in the EKBL, romping to a 66-62 victory against a strong Folkestone Saints A side on Mon 15.
The very tense and close game was no reflection on last year's walkover, where Dover lost by 20 - the 4 point win this time round showing just how far the Pirates have come on in 12 months.
Dover started convincingly, streaking to a 9 point lead in minutes; however some clever Saints subs meant they pulled the game back and won the first period 17-15.
Dover then fell even further behind in the second, losing it 16-7 and went into half time 33-22 down.
However, they came out after the break with a bit between their teeth and took the third quarter 21-16 with some runaway baskets from Snelling, Spratling and Beatty - closing the gap to just 6 points. This set the game up for a thrilling finish.
Some cracking defence from Sanders, Antosiak and Moore in the fourth then turned a 6 point deficit into a 12 point lead in the fourth with 4 minutes to play. As Dover got into foul trouble, Folkestone endeavored to stage a comeback with a few last minute buckets, but the Pirates proved too strong and closed the game out by 4.
Alex Snelling top scored with 15, followed closely by Leslie with 13.
A special mention goes to out Ricky Williamson who gave up his spot and to David Swan who came down to take some action snaps! Cheers guys.
The Pirates next game sees them take on Herne Bay B in the League on Wed 24 (away) - they would love to see your support there.
The Pirates would like to thank their kind sponsors, Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Alex Snelling- 15, Neal Leslie- 13, Chris Spratling- 9, Harry Sanders- 8, Matt Beatty- 8, Bart Antosiak- 6, Nick Moore- 5, Nik Niksic- 2, Chris Brooks (c), Kye Ward, Andy Mayo, Shemuel Sheikh, Andy Stewart- coach
Pirates sail to 70 point victory
Dover Pirates racked up their highest League win in over 3 years, romping to 103-33 win against Herne Bay B on Wednesday, November 24.
The 70 point crusade started strongly with Dover taking the first quarter 32-9, and they continued to dominate, taking the second 16-8, with Niksic, Leslie and Beatty working hard on both offensive and defensive rebounds.
After sailing into half time 48-17 up, Dover came out after the break to win the third period 21-10, with some fast-break baskets from veteran Mayo, Antosiak and Snelling.
The Pirates then showed their true domination by clinching the final quarter 31-6 with some strong defence from Moore, Brooks and Sheikh.
Coach Stewart was very pleased with his team's destruction of the Bay saying 'I demanded a killer instinct and the team responded'.
Sanders top scored with 21, followed closely by Williamson with 18.
The game also saw a debut from Loader and photography by David Swan.
The Pirates next game sees them take on Folkestone B in the League on Monday, November 29- at home. They would love to see your support there.
The Pirates are sponsored by Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Harry Sanders- 21, Ricky Williamson- 18, Nik Niksic- 11, Andy Mayo- 10, Alex Snelling- 10
Bart Antosiak- 8, Neal Leslie- 8, Matt Beatty- 7, Nick Moore- 7, Shemuel Sheikh- 3, Chris Brooks (c), Reigan Loader, Andy Stewart- coach
8 29.11.10 Mon M32 Dover Pirates v Saints B 85-66 W
Pirates sail to another easy win.
Dover Pirates made it 3 wins out of 3 against their arch rivals in a fierce clash at the Vista Leisure Centre on Monday, November 29. The home team came out triumphant (85-66), and dominated throughout.
They started incredibly strongly, taking the first period 29-15 with a shower of 3 pointers from Beatty, Leslie and Williamson. They increased their lead further in the second quarter taking it 16-11, easing themselves into a 45-26 half time lead.
After the break some strong defence from Niksic, Snelling, Sheikh and Brooks ensured Dover maintained their lead as they took the third 22-20 and pulled further into the lead.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the game had already been put to bed, and the Pirates went out with the aim of enjoying the inevitable victory. Some runaway baskets from Moore, Spencer and Sanders meant they went into a 27 point lead, but Folkestone piled on the pressure in the last 5 minutes to bring the game back to 19 points.
Sanders once again top scored with 19, followed closely by Williamson with 16.
The game also saw a league debut for Coach Stewart, with 2 assists and photography by David Swan.
The Pirates next game sees them take on Pfizers in the League on Wednesday, December 9- away. They would love to see your support there.
The Pirates are sponsored by Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Harry Sanders- 19, Ricky Williamson- 16, Chris Spratling- 10, Matt Beatty- 10, Nick Moore- 8, Joe Spencer- 7, Nik Niksic- 6, Neal Leslie- 5, Alex Snelling- 2, Chris Brooks (c)- 2, Shemuel Sheikh, Andy Stewart- coach
9 8.12.09 Wed M38 Pfizer Lions v Dover Pirates 69-60 L
Lions tame Pirates in contentious match
A host of inconsistent and biased calls saw the Dover Pirates fighting a losing battle in what was a fierce clash at Pfizers on Wednesday, December 8. They narrowly lost 69-60 despite giving it their utmost to battle against their tough rivals, the Lions, and even tougher opponents - the referee's.
Dover got off to a terrible start, losing the first quarter 18-5. They then stepped up their game taking the next period 22-15, as the Pirates young guns, Sanders, Moore, Williamson, Spencer and Snelling showed off their skills. The half time score read a much closer - 32-27.
Dover then continued to dominate, taking the third period 19-11 as they eased to a 3 point lead entering the final quarter with some strong defence from Pirates big guys, Spratling, Niksic and Leslie.
Pfizers, with the help of some incredibly suspicious and favourable refereeing decisions then drew the game back to take it by 9 points, winning the final period 26-14. Had a huge amount of calls gone Dover's way, the Pirates would have claimed their fourth win in a row.
The Pirates performed with heart and passion, with Sanders top scoring with 13, followed closely by Moore and Williamson (12 apiece).
The Pirates next game sees them take on Canterbury Christchurch Uni in the League on Sunday 9 January- away. They would love to see your support there.
The Pirates are sponsored by Vista Leisure, MCL Graphics and Alan's HGV's.
Harry Sanders- 13, Nick Moore- 12, Ricky Williamson- 12, Chris Spratling- 10, Joe Spencer- 8, Alex Snelling- 2, Kye Ward- 2, Neal Leslie- 1, Nik Niksic, Shemuel Sheikh, Andy Stewart- coach