Bristol Academy Flyers Under 18’s Conference started the 2010 part of their campaign with a solid 18 point away to Gwent, a the weekend.

The tip off showed the Flyer’s intention with Dennis Akpomedaye’s tip giving Chris Down an open layup which he converted well. The offence continued throughout the first quarter with some well executed plays leading to scores and trips to the free throw line. Gwent chipped away at Bristol but the Flyers’ still lead at the end of the first 25-16.

In the second quarter there was much of the same as the first with Flyer’s point guards AJ Uithaler and Ville Aviante showing veteran leadership and also scoring 9 of teams 19 points. Combined with some sold defensive effort especially on the defensive boards the Flyers maintained a healthy 44-29 lead to take into the second half.

The 3^rd and 4^th saw Gwen come back lead by some great play from their accomplished point guard C Doidge. Luckily for the Bristol side Under 16 Joe Packwood showed some accurate beyond the arc action hitting 3 straight three’s. This alongside some great penetration from Uithaler sealed the game for the Flyers’ running out winners 77-59.

Coach Guy Coles was pleased with the team’s performance and feels now that this is the start to the new year that they needed “They are a bunch of kids really hungry to win and so a solid start was what was required. I still think we need to work on our offense in terms of execution but I cannot fault their effort. I’ve told them that if we don’t win the rest of the games from now on I’ll eat my coat soaked in vinegar.... I don’t really like coats or vinegar”.