Bournemouth Bears have successfully defended their DBA League Title, and become back-to-back Champions.
With only 1 slip up all season, to Bournemouth Oaks in March, they finished with a 15W-1L record, scoring a monstrous 349 more points than their opponents. Coach and Club President Liam Wyatt added: "The standard of competition in the DBA has certainly improved over the past 12 months. We've battled through numerous injuries this season but our team unity, fitness, and quality has always been there and we are proud to be Back-to-Back Champs! We're not done yet though and working hard to smash the Playoffs!"
Bournemouth Oaks topped Salisbury Suns, by virtue of their head-to-head points differential. Both finished with 13W-3L, but the Oaks had won the first game by 9, and lost the return leg by 6, to take a +3 over the Wiltshire team.
New boys, B4L Titans rounded off the Playoff places in 4th.
Bandits were 5th, over Razors, with an equal record, but after Razors forfeited a game gave up that point.
Storm were 7th, ahead of Bridport Evolution, and Tigers had a tough season to prop up the table.
Olly's Prediction: Bears over Suns, plus maybe Oaks ...
Verdict: I was pretty close! Oaks got the win over Suns, and then against Bears to take 2nd. Suns were 3rd and Titans 4th.
In Division 2 it was the young boys, Dorset Storm U18 who showed their well drilled class, to take the title. Again with only 1 loss and 13 wins. Their campaign was varied, with some huge wins (77pts over Bandits2) and as close as a 1pt win over Spartans. Their hiccup came against Southbourne Blazers just before Christmas. Congrats Storm!! As ever with these guys, it will be who is still around for the next campaign, as they get promoted, or who graduates and moves away?
After dropping to Div2, after the Conference section of the League, Classics held their own, to finish 2nd, on 11-3 record. Spartans were 3rd with 8-6 record, with Blazers on 6-8 in 4th. Bandits2 finished on 6-8 also, but a forfeit drops them below Blazers into 5th.
Spartans have elected not to participate in the Playoffs due to a host of injuries, so its Storm (1) vs Bandits2 (5) in one Semi, and Classics (2) vs Blazers (4) in the other.
Suns finish 6th ahead of Seahawks in 7th and Weymouth Legends grab the spoon in their first season.
Olly's Prediction: Classics over Storm, Spartans 3rd, Blazers 4th
Verdict: I was wrong! Storm held their own against the experience, to stay on top. Spartans did come through after their conference play to take 3rd over Blazers.
On to the Playoffs!!!
