Basketball: Big win for Bulls Gold

Tornadoes Black’s Bunbury Basketball Association A Grade title defence got off to a disastrous start when they slumped to a surprise 13-point opening round loss on Friday night.

Black went down to last season’s stragglers Bulls Gold 60-47 at the South West Sports Centre.

It was a new-look Gold side that took the court — among their inclusions were Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers co-captain Trent Worthington and guard Roger Glanville.

Slammers’ forward Jason Smith was missing from Black’s line-up but Cameron Bennell, who played for Tornadoes Red last season, took the court for black.

Bulls Gold coach Greg Worthington said he was relieved to have won the match.

He also said his side had a lot of work to do if they were to be a force in the competition this season.

‘‘It’s pretty much a veterans team, it was practically the first time they had played together,’’ Worthington said.

‘‘It was just nice to get the game over and done with.’’

Meanwhile the absence of veteran Aaron Edwards was of little consequence for Aces White who defeated Bulls Maroon 59-32.

In the final game of the round, Aces Navy thrashed Tornadoes Grey 84-56.

Tornadoes Red rested out the bye.

In women’s games, Aces defeated Tornadoes Red 40-27 and Tornadoes Black beat Bulls Maroon 53-41.