THE Solent Kestrels have punched their ticket to a third straight NBL Division One Men’s Play-Off Final, overcoming longtime rivals Barking Abbey 65-50 in a hard-fought encounter at the Solent Sports Complex.
Matt Guymon’s squad relied on their signature defensive intensity and dominance on the glass to stifle a spirited Barking side. The victory sets up a high-stakes championship showdown against the Worcester Wolves on April 26th.
The contest opened with palpable tension, as both sides well-acquainted from a regular season split traded fouls within seconds of the tip-off. While the offense was occasionally rushed, the Kestrels found their edge through rebounding. Greg Durand and Wayne Kitenge were instrumental on the offensive glass, turning missed opportunities into crucial second-chance points.
By the end of the first half, the Kestrels had established a 33-19 lead, holding Barking to a mere nine points in the second quarter. A major key to this lead was the containment of Barking’s primary threat, Joshua Mendes, who was restricted to just two points in the opening twenty minutes.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter as Barking ignited a 15-6 run. Led by the youthful energy of Mendes and Oskaras Visockas, the visitors trimmed the lead to single digits. The game’s physical nature reached a boiling point when Barking’s Kervy Mabaya fouled out after Andre Arissol drew a savvy veteran charge, a turning point that stabilized the home side.
Despite a late-game explosion from Mendes—who scored 12 of Barking’s 16 final-quarter points—the Kestrels remained composed. Timely buckets from Ethan Round and Jakub Ofman restored the double-digit lead, while Arissol’s leadership ensured the Kestrels’ offensive sets remained disciplined under pressure.
