HUISH Taunton Tigers made their return to Senior National League Basketball last week after a five-year absence.

Playing at their new home venue, Richard Huish College, they hosted Bristol Academy Flyers II in the National Cup first round.

Bristol took an early lead in the first quarter but Taunton bounced back in the second with good defensive pressure leading to some clinical offence.

Tigers guards, Igors Kuzņecovs and Joe Andrews, combined well on the defensive front line, and the offence continued to improve in the third quarter for Tigers with Jack Roberts giving them a narrow lead.

Towards the end of the final quarter, Tigers were ahead by a single point but, with less than a minute remaining, Bristol made a three-pointer from the corner to give them two-point lead.

Tigers had a chance to tie it up, but the shot narrowly missed and Bristol held on to advance to the next round.

A disappointing loss but an exciting first match in front of a large home crowd for Huish Taunton Tigers new Senior Men’s team.

They are back in action later today, at Richard Huish College (4pm tip-off).