Worcester Wolves 71-44 Cardiff Met Archers

Friday 9th October 2026

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves logged their first win of the new National Basketball League season at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday, condemning Cardiff Met Archers to a heavy 71-44 defeat.

However, the final margin of victory belies the initial closeness of the contest. It took an overwhelming 31-10 outburst over the last ten minutes of the match to propel Wolves to victory.

Coach Dean Blake attributed the win to the conditioning of his team. “I told our players to keep running, keep running,” said Blake.

“Cardiff have some good players but I felt if we kept running we could break the game open – we were younger and fitter than them.”

“We didn’t want to go too long without getting our first win and to do it in front of our own fans was the icing on the cake.”

A double of Jesse Kilara tip-ins of teammates misses, a Harry Godwin three-pointer and a powerful Fin Rennie drive swept Worcester into a 9-0 start to the evening.

It would take nearly five minutes for Cardiff to impact their side of the scoreboard but by the first quarter’s end they had slashed the arrears to leave their hosts with a mere 12-11 edge.

By midway through the second period the sides stood together at 18-18.

Big man Rex Agbaso shone on his debut, slotting the ball home with his first touch and setting an impressive screen that freed Daijaun Antonio to sink an uncontested long-distance shot that broke the deadlock.

Half-time saw Wolves hold a 29-26 advantage with back-and-forth scoring keeping them 40-34 to the good entering the final quarter.

Another Godwin triple extended the home lead and when Marcus Robinson connected in a similar fashion and then cleverly handed off for another Agbaso basket the late rout was ignited.

Luan Ferreira got in the action when bouncing backwards off his defender but still making his shot.

Agbaso set up a Rennie step-back three as confidence now surged through the team.

Theo Bailey brought fans to their feet and players leaping up from the bench as he rampaged forwards to thump in a two-handed rim-swinging slam and bring up a 60-42 lead with four minutes remaining.

A resultant Cardiff timeout did little to prevent Worcester’s onslaught perpetuating until the final buzzer.

Godwin and Antonio top-scored with a dozen points apiece, with the latter also grabbing eleven rebounds. Agbaso tallied ten points and a handy six rebounds.

Wolves visit top-of-the-table Myerscough Academy next Saturday 17 October for a 5.30pm tip off before returning to the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday 24 October (7.30pm) hosting Tees Valley Mohawks.

“We have good guys throughout the squad,” added Blake. “We might not yet have a lot of experience but we have youth and zest.

“As in the fourth quarter today, once players see the ball going through the basket it will stand them in good stead throughout the season.”

Tickets are on sale for the NBL/WNBL Double Header on October 24th and can be purchased here and from the Arena box office.