Great Yarmouth’s fledgling Under-13 side made an impressive start to life in the Norfolk Junior League at Dereham Leisure Centre, narrowly beaten in two terrific games against well-established sides in Norfolk Iceni and Counter Upper Wolf Pack.

In both games the Yarmouth players showed fantastic hustle on defence and did a great job swarming over their opponents in the lane to restrict their shot opportunities.

Offensively Yarmouth showed encouraging teamwork, with players passing and moving, and generally helping each other to move the ball up the court and find open shots.

Finley Browne finished the leading Yarmouth scorer, with five points in each game, including two baskets from three-point range.

Nathan Ward scored four points in both games and was a huge rebounding presence at each end.

Ben Bedford finished with four points against Iceni, and followed up with three versus CU Wolf Pack.

Meanwhile, the trio of Amy Lacey, Riley Boggis and Harrison Beck made huge contributions of their own, particularly with some terrific transition defence and passing, and all three were unlucky not finish on the scoresheet.

Iceni and CU Wolf Pack both put in typically excellent performances, with B. Scott-Amos top scoring for Iceni with eight points, whilst Ironside also finished with eight points for CU Wolf Pack to lead all scorers.

The final results were Norfolk Iceni 16 Great Yarmouth 13 and Great Yarmouth 12 CU Wolf Pack 14. Speaking after the games Great Yarmouth coach Tom Allard said: “I couldn’t be more proud of this team today. For the majority of the squad this was their first experience playing in a match, and not only did they put in an a huge effort and enjoy the experience, but nearly they came away with a victory.”

With several Yarmouth players still awaiting club kit and playing in blue bibs, the league office supplied adhesive labels with squad number, with the club grateful to Karen Dodman for her forward thinking.

The club were also grateful to the parents who made the effort to transport their children to the game and hope they enjoyed, what would have been for many a first experience of a competitive basketball match.