SOUTHEND Swifts enjoyed double delight against the Essex Pirates last weekend.

The under-18s triumphed 83-73 and the under-16s came out 62-53 winners.

But both of the matches, which were played Thundersley’s SEEVIC College, were incredibly close Pirates finished the first half of the under-18 match with a 26-point advantage as they led 52-26.

Captain Alistair Mackay was in top form with three massive dunks and consistent rebounds which gave Pirates the advantage.

But the game changed during the second half and, from being 59-36 down, Swifts remarkably scored the next 22 points with Sibanda, Oluwadare and Oliver Crussell taking centre stage to trail by just one point at the end of the third quarter.

With the momentum entirely their way, the same trio continually found their way to the basket as Southend recorded the unlikeliest of victories.

Sibanda top-scored with 33 points for Swifts while Alistair Mackay hit 25 for Pirates.

There was the same outcome in the under 16 game too.

Pirates led 31-30 at half-time but found it hard to get in to a rhythm after the break.

Towards the end of the game Swifts managed to hold off Pirates to win with a very tight zone defence.

Matt Seaman top-scored with 18 points for Pirates while Alex Gilbert netted 23 points for Swifts.

Swifts’ under 18 side then maintained the winning run with a 65-59 victory over Hertfordshire Warriors the next day. Oluwadare with 24 points, Crussell 15 and Sibanda 13 all played an influential part.

But the women’s side could not enjoy their own success as they lost 72-30 at Leicester Cannons.

The three tough girls’ games the previous day meant that Swifts had a number of players unavailable, while the home side were at full strength.

Katie Holland scored 17 points while Hannah Culwick added 10.

There are six fixtures for Swifts this weekend.

On Saturday the under-16 boys travel to Bedford while there are home games for the under-18 girls against Eastside and the senior girls against Hinckley. The tip-off times are yet to be determined.

On Sunday the under-18 boys venture to Cambridge and the senior women to Brighton.

The only home game is at Eastwood High School where the under-14 boys welcome Feltham Warriors with a 1pm start.