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N.B.L. WOMEN'S DIVISION 2 MATCH REPORTS

Clubs' reports from the Women's N.B.L. , in reverse date order. 

15&16/03/03  

The Southend Swifts senior team made the long journey to the West Country for two crucial fixtures in their battle to reach the end of season play-offs.

WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
PLYMOUTH RACERS 81 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 56

The first game was at champions Plymouth Racers, who are unbeaten in league encounters this season, and who handed Swifts a 111-44 drubbing earlier in this campaign.  Racers are an extremely experienced side, who also have an outstanding American player in 5' 11" Emily Nichols.

The home side took an early 7-2 lead and must have expected an easy victory.  But Southend had other ideas.  Led by Fran Hitt, herself from the West Country, Swifts made a spirited comeback to lead 13-9 after six minutes.  With neither team able to gain the initiative, the quarter ended at 14 all; Hitt with 11 and Nichols 10 for their respective sides.

The second period saw Plymouth ease ahead at 25-21 before five straight for Swifts (including Sarah Wagstaff's first ever three-point score) moved the visitors in front by one.  Racers replied with a 10-2 run but Swifts, aided by a Jo Andrews three-pointer, narrowed the gap to trail just 34-39 at the half time interval.

But Plymouth are not champions by chance and they brought all of their experience and physical attributes into play in the third quarter.  Southend failed to score for six minutes, although they had limited the home side to just eight points of their own.  But the damage had largely been done and Swifts managed just five points in the period to trail 39-59 with 10 minutes remaining.

Racers opened the final stanza with the first six points but Swifts held their nerve although some poor passing at the end of the game gave Plymouth some easy scoring opportunities and a slightly flattering victory margin of 81-56.  Fran Hitt had topscored with 18, whilst Emily Nichols led Plymouth with a game high 24.

WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
TAUNTON TIGERS 71 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 56

This was a must-win game for Southend as both sides had an equal record of six wins and six losses.  Swifts showed they had not suffered from the previous day's loss as they scored the first nine points of the game off of the back of some aggressive defensive work.  Tigers recovered their composure and utilising their height advantage, drew level at 14 all at the end of the first period.

A Sarah Hopkins long range effort regained the lead for Swifts but Tigers replied with a 10-2 run as the visitors poor free throw shooting again let them down.  The margin was 10 going into the last minute but scores from Sophie Day and Talia Smith left the match at 32-26 at the half way mark.

Taunton came out the more determined in the second half and at 44-32 seemed to have settled the match.  But suddenly Southend's pressure defence seemed to double its' intensity.  With captain Hannah Wilhelmy dominating at both ends of the court, a 12-4 stretch over the final four minutes left the scoreline at 47-44 going into the final stanza.

But Swifts could not maintain the momentum and it was 57-48 after five minutes.  Again Southend battled and Vikki Willmore, who had had a disappointing weekend by her own high standards, began to find space to score.  An 8-2 run for the Essex side made it a three point game again, but they could get no closer and a succession of free throws at the end of the game left Taunton with a 71-56 winning margin that almost certainly means Southend will not qualify for the end of season finale.

WNBL SOUTH 22/02/03

CARDIFF CLIPPERS 54  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 101

When these two teams met earlier in the season, Swifts ball-handler Jo Andrews helped herself to a club record with nine successful three-point shots.  This time with the England junior absent with illness, her fellow Greensward College student Vikki Willmore had the opportunity for some shooting practice of her own.  And the 17 year old senior international took full use of the opportunity with a remarkable 10 scores from beyond the arc to lead her team to a convincing 47 point victory.

Cardiff are in a rebuilding stage this season and a recent spate of injuries has certainly not helped their cause as they soon found themselves in trouble against Southend's pressure defence.  The visitors scored the first 10 points of the game and stretched their first quarter lead to 21-6, with Willmore having already contributed three long-range efforts and Lindsay Jones on 6.

The second period saw a spirited start from the Clippers as they scored six of the first eight points.  But Southend had regained their poise to lead 33-14 going into the fourth minute when they introduced the latest in a long line of outstanding youngsters.  15 year old Kelly Matthews was making her senior debut and she soon showed her confidence scoring from three-point range with her first shot.  With Swifts captain Hannah Wilhelmy taking numerous rebounds at both ends of the court and Francesca Hitt finding her way to the basket with regularity, the visitors scored 16 points without reply in a five minute period to end the half leading by 52 points to 21.

Unsurprisingly Southend relaxed slightly in the third quarter, scoring just 16 in the period.  With Willmore taking a deserved rest, Sophie Day had the opportunity of showing her play-making skills and she showed excellent control playing a position new to her.  Louise Robinson also took time from her defensive duties to score with some good efforts from distance.

But in the final stanza, Swifts again turned on the power.  Having been scoreless in the third quarter, Willmore hit three more long-distance shots in the first five minutes as the margin went over 40.  With her teammates realising the possibility of breaking the club record, they looked to give her further scoring chances.  But the redoubtable Miss Matthews would not be denied and she had two further three-point scores on the way to a remarkable 16 point debut.

But as if in a Welsh version of the gunfight at the OK Corral between the two youngsters, Willmore would not be denied and with one minute remaining in the match, hit her 10th three-point shot much to the delight of the Cardiff mens team who were watching the match and who perhaps will now view the womens game in a different light.

Willmore's 37 point haul naturally led her sides effort followed by Hitt with a National League high of 17.  But perhaps the abiding memory will be of the 15 year old Kelly Matthews scoring 16 points on six for eight shooting, a testimony to the strength in depth of the Southend club.

WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH 14/12/02
LONDON TOWERS 65  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 51

Within 25 minutes of finishing the junior game, the two teams met in a National Womens League fixture.  Towers were able to field six fresh players, whereas Southend brought in just two older players in Hannah Wilhelmy and Sarah Hopkins.  Bizarrely four of Swifts cadet players made a hurried exit to return to Essex for a game of their own later in the afternoon.

For Southend, the match had an amazing start as their first 12 points all came from three-point shots, with Sarah Hopkins contributing nine.  This prompted a complete change of defensive formation for Towers, which stemmed the tidal wave and gave the home side a 13-5 run over the remainder of the quarter to tie the game up at 17.

The second quarter saw both teams struggle to find any kind of rhythm, with just 15 points scored in total; Towers holding a 26-23 half time lead.

The third stanza saw Swifts find some extra energy as they fought to get back into the game.  Playing some inspired pressure defence, they finally managed to get Towers to start to turn the ball over.  Vikki Willmore's five points midway through the quarter brought the deficit back to one at 35-34 before an 8-2 run at the end of the period gave Swifts a 42-39 lead going into the final phase; Andrews and Hopkins with a further three pointer each.

But fatigue finally had its way with Southend as they conceded 22 of the first 24 points scored, to trail by an unreachable 61-44 before a late flourish from Willmore gave the score an air of respectability at 65-51.  Hopkins 20 and Willmore 17 had led Swifts in a match which, on another day, may have seen victory.

WNBL  02 & 03/11/02

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58  BRIXTON TOPCATS 63

After two disappointing defeats, the senior side were looking to get back on track when they welcomed Brixton Topcats to Greensward College.  The South Londoners have also made a relatively slow start to the season so this was a must-win game for both teams.

Neither side could take the early advantage, with defences very much on top. Brixton's aggressive rebounding was causing problems for Southend, which stopped them from getting their fast break operating.  However two of Swifts taller players, Louise Robinson and Sarah Wagstaff were finding space around the opposition basket and they combined for 11 of their team's first quarter points as Swifts trailed by just 17-15.

The second quarter saw both sides struggle to find the target.  Brixton opened a 27-20 lead after four minutes but good defence from Swifts kept the visitors scoreless for over five minutes as they tied up the score; Jo Andrews hitting a deep three-pointer.  Topcats managed four late points to hold a 31-28 half time lead.

Southend came out much more positively in the third quarter to lead 34-31.  The visitors drew level and then went ahead at 42-39 after six minutes. But Swifts regained their composure and keyed by four points from Vikki Willmore took their biggest lead at 47-42 before conceding the last basket to go into the final quarter at 47-44.

But the young Essex side's composure deserted them over the final 10 minutes.  A succession of fundamental errors gave the initiative to the visitors whose 16-6 run was decisive.  Swifts got back to 55-58 but five clutch points from Brixton's New Zealander Stacey Mabey settled matters as they recorded a 63-58 victory.  Wagstaff 20, Robinson 15 and Willmore 11 had been the high scorers in what was a very disappointing result for Southend.

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 77  TAUNTON TIGERS 53

The senior team had an immediate opportunity to make amends when Taunton Tigers were the visitors in an early Sunday morning fixture, the West Country team having played two games in the South East at the weekend.  Swifts were missing a number of players but were buoyed by the return of Sarah Hopkins to playing duties.  The England under 20 guard has been out of action for 10 months following a serious cruciate ligament injury incurred whilst at High School in America.

Swifts made a disastrous start scoring just 1 point in the first seven minutes as they would have struggled to hit the side of a barn even if they had been inside it.  Amazingly Taunton could fare little better and at the end of the first quarter the score stood at a paltry 7-11 to the visitors.

The second stanza saw a much more positive performance from Southend as their 13-4 run saw them gain their first lead of the day; Talia Smith and Sarah D'Silva making good early scores.  Taunton recovered to lead 24-22 before Hopkins made her teams next five points to edge Swifts in front; Jo Andrews two fouls shots enabling the hosts to lead 29-28 at the half.

Taunton drew level at 31 before Swifts made the decisive run that would settle the match.  A three-point play from D'Silva followed by three baskets from Vikki Willmore opened the lead to six.  Then the re-introduction of Hopkins showed she had lost none of her shooting skills.  A three-point shot followed by a pair of free throws and a fast break score took the advantage to 10.  A Willmore score and a basket from cadet Emma Camp followed by five more from Hopkins gave Southend a 56-40 lead at the end of three quarters.

A long range score from captain Hannah Wilhelmy settled the home side's nerves before six points from the visitors raised the possibility of a comeback.  But two free throws from Willmore plus a score from outstanding youngster Rebecca Rambin (just 15 years old and 6' 1" tall) saw the margin back to 17.  A three-pointer from Willmore and a basket from D'Silva took the lead beyond 20 before Hopkins completed her party piece with two further three-pointers including one on the final buzzer - as if anyone expected anything else.

Hopkins 23 and Willmore 16 led the team in what was a good all round performance and put the side back on course in their league battles.

WNBL South  19/10/02

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 44  PLYMOUTH RACERS 111

Southend Swifts fell to a heavy defeat against league leaders Plymouth Racers at Greensward College on Saturday.  Plymouth have been league champions for five of the last six years and the addition of a top American player, Emily Nichols, has only added to their firepower.

But it was Swifts who stunned the watching audience as they went into a 10-0 lead after just four minutes, as their pressure defence brought immediate rewards.  But the youngsters could not retain their advantage as Plymouth's zone defence forced the Essex side to shoot unsuccessfully from distance, giving the much taller visitors the opportunity to rebound and initiate their fast break.

At the end of the first period Racers led 24-15 with Lloyd already having scored 12.  Despite an early basket from debutante Francesca Hitt and a three-pointer from Vikki Willmore, an eight point deficit was the nearest Southend could get as Plymouth seemed to score at will.  Their lead at the midway point was 47-27, Lloyd having amassed 24 in the half.

The remainder of the game was very much the same as Swifts battled vainly to get back into the contest.  But despite numerous changes of tactics they could make no headway as Plymouth moved to a convincing victory in what was a very disappointing performance by the home side.  Lloyd ended with 42 points for Plymouth, no Swifts player managing double figures on the day.

Southend will have to regroup quickly before next week's second round National Cup match at Northampton, where they will face a very young all-English team like their own.

WNBL South  05/10/02

Worthing Magic 79  Southend Swifts 64

Southend Swifts travelled to the south coast for their second National League fixture of the season against a team who have moved home having previously played in Brighton.  Magic have recruited heavily in the off season, bringing in Australian guard Kirsty Dallas as well as 6' 1" England player Sarah Cooper, who was previously with Division 1 team Thames Valley.  Swifts were without injured captain Hannah Wilhelmy, which meant that once again they fielded an all junior line-up.

The home side started the sharper as their two new players combined for all of the points as they took an 8-3 lead after 3 minutes.  But Swifts pressure defence began to pay dividends, and with Vikki Willmore finding her way through the hosts defence, Southend edged ahead at 11-10 after 7 minutes.  Worthing recovered to regain the lead, before 2 stunning plays from Talia Smith, the first involving a mid air change of direction before scoring with her left hand, gave Swifts a 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Worthing came out much the stronger in the second period, and with Dallas orchestrating matters, they established a double digit advantage at 32-22 with four minutes gone.  Willmore replied with 5 straight but excellent shooting from Worthing's Christie Rourke and Shelley Steele regained the initiative for the home side and they stretched their lead at the half time interval to 49-35, a 15 point turn around in the quarter.

The third period again saw Swifts fail to make any headway as Dallas and Rourke seemed to score at will.  The visitors were unable to make a comeback as a poor shot selection cost them dearly.  With two minutes remaining they trailed 67-40 and a rout seemed likely, although late scores from Jo Andrews and Willmore managed to reduce the margin.

The final stanza, however, saw a much different position.  The fitness and athleticism of the young Essex side started to reap dividends.  Sarah D'Silva hit back-to-back 3-pointers and with Lindsay Jones finding her way to the basket, the scoreline was back to 73-58 with 4 minutes remaining.  Two minutes later it was 75-62 with the home side decidedly uncomfortable.  However Swifts could get no nearer and suffered the clubs first defeat of the season, going down 79-64 at the final buzzer.

For Worthing, Dallas 24, Steele 15 and Rourke 12 had led the way.  For Southend, D'Silva with a senior career high of 16 followed by Jones, Smith and Willmore all with 12 were the scoring leaders.

The seniors are again in action next Saturday when they resume battle with London Towers, this time in the National Cup.  Swifts gained victory when the teams met in the League at the end of September, so the Londoners will be looking for revenge.  The match is at Greensward College, tip-off 5 pm.

WNBL South 21/09/02

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 60  LONDON TOWERS 52

In a match that was at best scrappy, Southend Swifts superior fitness enabled them to secure victory over London Towers in the first match of the season played at Greensward College.

Neither side was able to establish any fluency as Swifts battled to overcome a huge height disadvantage against a side containing players from all over South East England.  Matters looked ominous for the Essex side as Towers took an early 6-2 with their 6' 2" centre Liz Henderson looking prominent.  The home side responded with five points from Vikki Willmore but neither team were able to establish a lead as the teams finished level at 11 apiece at the end of the first quarter.  Amazingly the teams had already combined to miss 12 out of 17 foul shot attempts, a trait that continued throughout the match.

The second period saw a further poor patch with just six points in the first four minutes before a 6-0 run for Swifts took them ahead at 19-15; Sarah D'Silva contributing four.  It was only the pressure defence of the home side that was keeping them in the game but despite securing numerous turnovers they were unable to turn them into successful scoring opportunities.  With Towers' England Cadet captain Kate Butters replying with four points, Swifts led by just 24-23 at the half time interval.

The visitors made much the brighter start of the third stanza and with Southend again unable to score foul shots, the visitors got to their biggest lead at 34-26 on the back of a 9-0 run.  But the resilience of the young home side, with just one player over junior age, came through as they went on a 10-0 run to regain the lead; captain Hannah Wilhelmy leading the way with two fine 15 foot shots. But still neither side could break free; at the end of the third quarter Swifts leading by a slender 40-38.

Unfortunately for Swifts, Wilhelmy severely damaged her ankle forcing her to miss the remainder of the match.  This left the home side with just 16 year olds Louise Robinson and Sarah Wagstaff to battle for rebounds alongside England junior Lindsay Jones but all did sterling work to keep their team in the game.  With Vikki Willmore finally showing some of the skills she is noted for, Southend moved out to 52-47 with two minutes to play.  A superb basket from Wagstaff, scoring over opponents far taller than her, made it 54-49 before Willmore left the game with five personal fouls.  But up stepped Jo Andrews and the diminutive guard controlled the closing stages of the match scoring four from six foul shot attempts to see Swifts home by 60 points to 52.

Willmore with 17 points and Wagstaff 13, led the way for the home side with Henderson and Oteng leading Towers with 10 apiece.  Both sides will be looking for better form throughout the season particularly from the foul line where they contrived to miss 47 of 66 attempts.