A YOUNG Barrow Thorns team could not replicate the home success against Cheshire Wire II from earlier in the year as they were beaten 94-65 in the National Basketball League Under-18 Men competition.

Starting point guard Abe Brown was missing for the Thorns, so younger members of the team had to step up to fill the void.

It was a slow start for the Thorns as the Wire pulled away to a 10-0 lead in the opening few minutes of the quarter but following a time-out the Thorns fought back with Dan James and Shea Whelan providing the scoring.

At the other end of the court, a strong team effort limited the Wire to only 12 more points in the quarter as Cheshire led 22-13.

The second quarter started well for the Thorns as Joe Carroll and James provided scoring from the three-point line, while Whelan continued to finish well at the basket and Franz Pajarillaga made his impact playing tough man-to-man defence.

This hot start did not last, unfortunately, as tiredness crept in for the Thorns which allowed the Wire to pull into a 42-29 lead to end the half.

In the second half, the Thorns continued to give maximum effort at both ends of the floor, with veterans James and Whelan continuing to lead the way on offence.7

Young big men Max Sharpe and Alex Courtman both got on the scoresheet and provided additional help in securing rebounds for the team. Unfortunately, this effort could not push the Thorns to victory.

It was a tough loss for the Thorns, who performed better than the scoresheet portrayed, but they will take additional confidence and contributions from the younger members of the team.