UNDER-18 WOMEN'S CLUB REPORTS, 2005-6

 

w/e 07/05/06

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL FINAL FOURS - SEMI FINAL

SEVENOAKS SUNS 93  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 46 

The Southend Swifts under 18 team had reached the RAF sponsored Final Fours in the most difficult way by having to win their final qualifying game away with a victory at Ipswich, which they did by a convincing 30 point margin.  This victory should have given them confidence when they took on South Conference winners Sevenoaks Suns, against whom they had had three very competitive league fixtures.

Sevenoaks came out very quickly, opening a 9-2 advantage but scores from Lauren Kidd and Abi Dempsey brought it back to 11-6.  Sevenoaks aggressive pressing defence was causing Swifts problems and they put together a 12-0 run before scores from Dempsey, Emma Hart with a three pointer and Jacquelyn Jobey left the score at 26-13 at the end of the first quarter. 

A Lauren Kidd three-pointer gave Swifts some hope, but a 14-3 run took the Kent side 20 ahead.  A 10-4 stretch for Southend gave cause for optimism before the incident that would effectively end the match as a contest.  Jane Barclay was adjudged to have fouled a Sevenoaks player, which most spectators believed was on the Swifts centre, and her remonstrations earned her a technical foul, which was her fifth infringement and meant she had to leave the game.  During the altercation, Abi Dempsey also received a technical foul, which was incorrectly noted as being her fifth infringement also and meant she too could take no further part in the game.  Sevenoaks were given six free throws, all of which they converted, and suddenly Swifts were down 26 and without the services of their two leading players of the season.

Unsurprisingly the remainder of the match was played in a very subdued atmosphere as there was patently no way back for the Essex side.  Sevenoaks obviously looked to conserve some energy for the final to follow, whilst Southend took the opportunity to allow a number of younger players the opportunity of playing on the big stage.  A game that was always going to be very difficult against a good side not really ending to anyone's satisfaction.  Dempsey and Hart the only two Swifts players in double figures with 11 points each.

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL FINAL FOURS - 3rd/4th PLAY-OFF

NORTHANTS LIGHTNING 81  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 48

3rd and 4th play-off games are rarely enjoyable affairs, with both teams having suffered disappointment in the earlier semi-finals; all the more so for Northants who had an unblemished record in the Northern Conference. 

Swifts soon found themselves 10-2 down but good shooting from Emma Hart and Lauren Kidd brought it back to 15-14 before Lightning hit the last five to make it 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Scores from Jane Barclay and Rebecca Brough made it a two point game but a 12-2 run for the Midlanders made it a double digit lead, which they held on to for a 36-24 half time advantage.

Northants continued to shoot very well and they made three three-point shots in a 14-3 run that gave them a comfortable 50-27 lead.  Swifts shooting touch had certainly deserted them and it was only 10 points in the quarter from Hart that kept her team in some kind of contention.

The final quarter was really going through the motions as Northants took a deserved third place by 81 points to 48.  Hart with 19 points and Kidd 10 the only Swifts to get anywhere close to their normal level.

A disappointing end to what had been a very good season for the under 18 side.  Only two players are ineligible for next season which gives the team an excellent opportunity to again make the final fours. 

No joy for “Lightning” at Final Fours

For the third year running the Northants “Lightning” failed to deliver at the RAF sponsored Junior Women’s Final Fours staged at RAF Cosford last Saturday. The county girls clinched 3rd place after losing out to eventual winners Haringey “Angels” in the semi-finals when they failed to perform to their full potential.

Junior Women’s Final Four Semi-Final

Haringey “Angels”            55 – 44                        Northants “Lightning”

The “Lightning” went into this game knowing that the Londoners would not play in the lethargic way they had performed in the National Cup semi-final when the county girls had won by a thirty points margin. At the end of  a season lasting  over eight months several “Lightning” players were carrying injuries but this could not be used as an excuse for the 11 points defeat. Neither, could the team’s defensive effort which saw the “Angels” restricted to just 55 points.

They could however, look to a key moment four minutes into the fourth period of the game. The “Lightning” had battled back from a 12 point deficit to close the gap to 36-33 when Nauel Cali looked to have blocked a shot from England international Kashmere Joseph. To the horror of the “Lightning” supporters Cali was called for a foul, her fifth and in frustration she slammed the ball onto the floor. The referee rather harshly penalised her with a technical foul which gave the “Angels” four free throws and possession of the ball. Haringey scored all four free throws and to rub salt into the wound they scored from the possession to extend their lead to nine. Hard as the county girls tried they couldn’t reduce the margin as they realised that a place in the Final wasn’t to be theirs.

The game had started well for the “Lightning” as the leapt out to a 6-zero lead thanks to a short range jumper from Crystal Sterling and two close to the basket moves from Nauel Cali. That was to be the only time the county girls were to hold the advantage! Haringey equalised through twos sets of free throws and a put back and this enabled them to apply up-court pressure which caused the county ball handlers problems throughout the game. For the rest of the period the “Lightning” could manage only three more points their opponents establishing a 19-9 advantage by the end of the quarter.

The second period was a dour defensive affair which Haringey edged 10-9 but of most significance were the fouls called on the Northants ‘big’ players Angeline Field and Nauel Cali. This meant that coach, John Collins was forced to use Crystal Sterling as an ‘inside’ player rather than in her preferred perimeter position. Despite this enforced adjustment the “Lightning” were able to stage their third period comeback only to be thwarted by that six points set back early in the fourth quarter. Even so very few of the team played to their full potential and Haringey were deserved winners and later in the day showed how a good a team they were by beating tournament favourites Sevenoaks in the Final.

Two “Lightning” players could feel very proud of their performances in the semi-final. Angeline Field scored 11 points, hauled down 12 rebounds and more significantly restricted Haringey’s England centre, Kashmere Joseph to 8 points. Crystal Sterling too, was superb scoring 10 points and working herself to exhaustion on defence but no county player could stop the “Angels” Mrashi Karumba who scored 20 points

Junior Women’s Final Four 3rd and 4th Play Off

Northants “Lightning”                81 – 48                        Southend “Swifts”

No one likes 3rd and 4th Play Off games but at least the Northants “Lightning” claimed a comfortable win over Southend “Swifts” to claim 4th place and a little consolation for the disappointment for their semi-final loss. Coach, John Collins gave all twelve of his squad court time in this the last time they would play together. Leading 36-24 at half time the county girls ran riot in the second half outscoring their opponents 45-24 in the second half to win 81-48. 

For the “Lightning” Nauel Cali and Naomi Sterling dominated the scoring with 19 and 12 points respectively after disappointing semi-final performances. Crystal Sterling completed a fine day’s work with 8 points while the team’s two youngest players Jordan Elliott-King and Roxanne Francis scored 8 and 7 respectively.

Looking back on the season the Northants “Lightning” decisively won the Northern Conference with an unbeaten record, they took 2nd place in the prestigious “Hoopfest”, came runners-up in the National Cup and finally took 3rd place in the Final Fours. For many teams this would be seen as a successful season but for the “Lightning” it represented disappointment because they knew they had the potential to take a major title. Coach, John Collins summed up the team’s feelings, “For three years we’ve been working hard to win a major title and we’ve failed to achieve that aim. We have made three trips to the Final Fours, appeared in a National Cup Final and featured well at the “Hoopfest” but at the end of the day we’ve won nothing and that is a massive disappointment to the team and all our fans. On another level this has been a fine group of young ladies who are a credit to their families and the club can be very proud of their achievements.”

w/e 23/04/06

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL PLAY-OFF QUARTER FINAL

IPSWICH BOBCATS 62  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 92 

An appearance in the RAF-sponsored Final Fours was the prize for the winners of this clash between Ipswich who were second in the Northern Division and Southend who were third in the South.  The teams had met earlier in the season in the National Cup, when Swifts were the victors in a hard fought battle. 

Before a very vociferous crowd, Bobcats came out strongly, opening an 8-2 lead before an Emma Hart three-pointer signalled the start of Swifts recovery.  As has often been the case this season, they were inspired by their captain Abi Dempsey who dominated proceedings at both ends of the court. She scored 14 of her sides remaining 20 points in the quarter, culminating in a three-point shot as her team held a 25-19 first quarter lead. 

Southend upped their defensive intensity at the start of the second quarter, which brought immediate rewards with the first six points, including an acrobatic lay-up from Rachel Armstrong.  They retained the 11 point margin throughout the period before a Tamsin McCarthy score on the half time buzzer took them 46-33 ahead at the midway interval. 

If the hosts were looking to stage a comeback, Southend put that thought to rest with a blistering start to the third quarter, making an 11-2 run with two three-pointers from Hart and another from Lauren Kidd.  Jane Barclay was giving her best performance of the season, dominating the rebounds and blocking numerous Ipswich shot attempts. Every Swifts player was making a major contribution in maintaining the pressure; Sharley Smith surprising even herself with three blocked shots.  With Kidd adding a further three-pointer, the margin had extended to 66-50 with one period remaining. 

But this was not a time to relax and Swifts put the game beyond doubt with a 10-1 run, including five points from the diminutive Rebecca Brough.  An 8-2 stretch took the margin beyond 30, and with the home crowd now noticeably quiet, Southend were able to see the match out to record an excellent 30 victory that takes them to RAF Cosford on 6th May.  Dempsey 31, Kidd 19, Hart 16 and Barclay 14 had led the scoring on a day when fitness and strength in depth had seen their team through. 

w/e 09/04/06

LONDON CAPITALS 49  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 73
Southend Swifts' final league game of the season saw the under 18 women travel to North West London to take on London Capitals in a match that would have no bearing on the final standings; Swifts having qualified for the play-offs whilst Capitals are out of contention, finishing in 5th place.  Because of the under 16 play-off match the same evening, Southend left out a number of regular players, fielding instead five members of their under 14 squad.

A scrappy start form both teams saw London hold a 7-5 lead after four minutes but Lauren Kidd and Abi Dempsey combined for 15 points as Swifts moved out to 20-11 although the home side fought back to trail just 22-16 at the end of the first quarter.

The lack of recent match action was suddenly forgotten by Southend as Jane Barclay began to dominate at both ends of the court which gave her team the opportunity to put together a 13-2 run that took them 17 points ahead. Capitals, though, continued to battle scoring the final six points to trail 35-24 at the half time break.

A Kidd three-pointer was Swifts only score in the first three minutes of the third period as London brought the deficit back to just eight before a remarkable passage of seven minutes saw the Essex side put the match beyond doubt.  In a three minute period, Emma Hart scored four successive three point shots followed by another from Kidd and one from Dempsey.  This gave Southend 23 points in the quarter; 21 of them from three-point shots, to lead 58-39 going into the final quarter. 

The scoreline gave the younger players the opportunity to get valuable court time with Christina Gaskin and Maisie Elston taking rebounds against much taller and more experienced opponents.  With 13 year old Abbey Keyes connecting on two long range efforts, Swifts extended their advantage culminating in a further three-point effort from Tamsin McCarthy that concluded a comfortable 73-49 victory.  Dempsey 27, Hart 14 and Kidd 10 leading the scorers as Southend consolidated third place in the very tough Southern section of the National League.
w/e 02/04/06

82 IPSWICH BOBCATS -v- WEST HERTS WARRIORS 35 

Ipswich Bobcats completed the regular season with an emphatic 82-35 victory over West Herts Warriors when the sides met in the northern section Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday.

Bobcats opened the scoring in a convincing manner when a well worked offence ended with a basket from three-point range from Natalie Field.  Warriors’ captain Stenzel hit a three-pointer at the other end of the court but baskets by Kerry Moore, Lauren Lindsay and Lois Nunn saw Ipswich storm to a 15-3 lead.

A basket by McGibbon ended a six minute barren spell for the visitors before Layla Weal came off the Bobcats bench to score two good baskets and help Ipswich take a 23-10 lead as the match went into the second quarter.

Bobcats continued their domination at the restart with two inside baskets by Field, and Kerry Moore piled on nine successive points in a dominant three minute spell to stretch the Ipswich lead to 36-10 midway through the second quarter.

Woodhouse secured Warriors’ first points of the quarter with a lay up but a pair of free throws by Lindsay and late baskets by Nunn and Field secured a commanding 42-19 lead at the interval.

It was all Bobcats again at the start of the third quarter, when Moore continued to prove unstoppable on her drives through the West Herts defence and Field used her height advantage to score off some strong inside moves.

Ipswich took a 57-28 lead into the final quarter and an inspired performance by Lois Nunn saw the Ipswich guard score 13 of her 25 point tally in the closing stages to end as joint top scorer with Kerry Moore.

There was disappointment for Lauren Lindsay when the Ipswich captain fouled out with five minutes remaining, but she could take pride in a performance that yielded 6 points, 17 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists in what was to be her final appearance as a junior on the Maidenhall court.

Victoria Brownsell sealed an 82-35 victory with a three-pointer in the final minute and Frankie Baisden repaid the faith placed in her by coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere with a battling starting five performance that brought no less than 10 rebounds and two good steals.

Bobcats now face Southend Swifts in their crucial play off quarter final match for a place in  the Final Fours at RAF Cosford at the beginning of May.  Swifts finished third in the highly competitive southern section of the Junior Women’s National League and Bobcats will be keen to avenge the 82-97 defeat they suffered when the side met in the National Cup last December.   The match takes place on Saturday, 22nd April at Northgate Sports Centre and tips off at 2.40 p.m.

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: Kerry Moore 25, L Nunn 25, N Field 19, L Weal 4, L Lindsay 6, V Brownsell 3, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0  

West Herts Warriors players and scores: J Stenzel 10, E Woodhouse 9, E Byrne 5, R Fearns 3, K McGibbon 3, R Calder 2, J Graceson 2, E Videtta 1,

w/e 26/03/06

HARINGEY ANGELS 53  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 65 

This was the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams; reigning National Champions Haringey having recorded victories in the two league matches as well as the cup encounter.  Both teams were missing one key player on duty for their schools in national finals. 

When Haringey scored the opening four points through their England centre Kashmere Joseph another home victory looked likely but Swifts upped their defensive intensity, with Jacquelyn Jobey prominent, and with Abi Dempsey slicing through the Angels defence, the visitors made a 13-2 run that gave them a seven point lead.  The 6' 3" presence of Rebecca Rambin gave Southend some equality against the very tall Haringey team as both team battled for superiority.  With Dempsey scoring 12 first quarter points, her side held a 22-14 advantage at the opening break. 

With both sides maintaining their concentration, every basket was proving hard to come by with just 12 points in the first five minutes; Rambin with a further four.  Lauren Kidd was finding her way to the basket for Southend and a good inside play from Charlotte Micallef made it 34-28.  Joseph replied with her 12th point for the hosts but an excellent 7-0 run, including an Emma Hart three-pointer, gave the Essex side a 41-28 half time lead. 

In previous encounters, it has been the third quarter that has been Swifts' undoing and an 8-3 stretch for the Angels brought the score back to 44-36.  But another Hart three-pointer and baskets from Kidd, Rambin and Dempsey restored the margin to 54-41 going into the final quarter. 

Still the defensive intensity from both teams continued but this time it was Swifts with the crucial run, outscoring their opponents 7-3, to take what should have been a decisive 61-44 lead, with Rebecca Brough converting steals into scores.  But Haringey showed their pedigree, with nine straight points to reduce the deficit back to eight.  Once again captain Dempsey took the initiative making an outrageous three-point play whilst being sandwiched by two Angels defenders, and with the Southend defence holding strong, keeping Angels scoreless over the final three minutes, Swifts recorded a very hard-earned and deserved 65-53 win in a match of an excellent standard.  Dempsey 26 and Kidd and Rambin 11 each leading an outstanding team effort. 

The under 18 boys match did not take place as Swifts had not been notified of a change of venue and start time.

 Ton up “Lightning” complete a perfect Conference season

West Herts “Warriors”       36 – 102       Northants “Lightning” 

The Northants “Lightning” junior women completed their Northern Conference season with a convincing win over West Herts and so maintain their unbeaten record. Now they must wait for, four weeks before the Play Offs get underway with the “Lightning” expecting to enjoy home advantage against Taunton who came 4th in the Southern Conference.

The game against West Herts was over as a contest by the end of the first period by which time the “Lightning” had leapt out to a 28-5 lead with “Warriors” unable to cope with the “Lightning’s” speed of play and height advantage. The lead was extended to 53-17 by half time and although a degree of complacency set in during the final period of play the county girls were able to top the ton and run out comfortable winners by 102 points to 36  over a gutsy West Herts team.  

The classy Naomi Sterling led the “Lightning” scoring with 21 points. Nauel Cali contributed 18 while Hannah Scott-Evans and Angeline Field scored 16 and 13 respectively. 

In search of high quality competition the “Lightning” are trying to set up a friendly game against national cup winners Manchester this weekend.

w/e 19/03/06

65 TYNE & WEAR TITANS -v- IPSWICH BOBCATS 72 

Ipswich Bobcats fended off a strong comeback to secure a fine 72-65 victory over Tyne & Wear Titans when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League in Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Bobcats needed to win to guarantee crucial home advantage in the end of season play-offs, but knew that Tyne & Wear would prove formidable opponents on their home court.

Ipswich had the better of the early exchanges and went 13-7 ahead when Lois Nunn scored three baskets in as many minutes including a three-pointer form the top of the arc.

Titans fought back with a pair of successful free throws by captain Charis Younger before Kerry Melville drove through the Ipswich defence to score a lay up, but Bobcats piled on the pressure with two three-pointers by Victoria Brownsell, who converted the second into a rare four point play after being fouled by Ruth Davison.

Baskets by Kerry Moore and Lauren Lindsay took Bobcats to a commanding 28-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and the visitors continued to dominate at the restart when a long range shot by Brownsell in the third minute secured a season high 9 point tally and took Ipswich 38-16 ahead.

The introduction of Lauren Loader-Young by Titans coach Harry Wood had a dramatic effect on the game and the Tyne & Wear guard made a three-point play after being fouled by Nunn on her way to a successful lay up.  Natalie Field scored from the line at the other end of the court and Lauren Lindsay hit a three-pointer to extend the Ipswich lead to 42-19, but Titans stormed back with a string of baskets by Loader-Young, Melville, Fiona Sturrock and Fiona Blackman to outscore Bobcats 16-4 in an amazing four minute spell to cut the lead to 46-35 at the interval.

Field scored immediately at the start of the third quarter but Titans cut the deficit to just seven points with two more baskets by Melville and a pair of free throws by Younger after she was fouled by Kerry Moore.  Field was now getting fired up and scored a basket off a good inside move to stave off the threat, but Bobcats plight worsened when Kerry Moore was called for a fourth foul a minute later and was in danger of fouling our early.

Baskets by Loader-Young, Younger and the impressive Ruth Davison during a four minute barren spell brought the scores level at 52-52, but Bobcats refused to be overtaken by the Tyne & Wear momentum or the renewed enthusiasm of the noisy home crowd and Lois Nunn scored twice in the closing minute to give Ipswich a slender 56-52 advantage as the match went into the final quarter.

Kerry Moore extended the lead to seven points with a three-point play at the restart after being fouled by Younger on her way to the basket, but Melville was becoming an increasing threat for Titans and scored twice to keep Tyne & Wear in contention at 63-57 with six minutes left to play.

Loader-Young cut the deficit to just four points with a lay up a minute later and it needed strong inside moves by Lindsay and Field to score to take Ipswich 68-59 ahead with just over four minutes remaining.

Titans still refused to capitulate and two quick baskets by Davison cut the deficit to five points and force Ipswich coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere to call a time out to prepare their players for the final effort.  Nunn then hit a crucial lay up to secure a game high 19 point tally and Kerry Moore sealed victory with a final lay up after playing over a third of the match on four fouls.

Bobcats play their final home game of the regular Junior Women’s National League season on Saturday, 1st April when they face West Herts Warriors.  The match takes place at Maidenhall at tips off at 4.15 p.m. 

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:

L Nunn 19, Kerry Moore 17, L Lindsay 16, N Field 11, V Brownsell 9, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0, Kirstie Moore 0, L Weal 0 

Tyne & Wear Titans players and scores:

R Davison 17, L Loader-Young 16, K Melville 16, C Younger 12, F Sturrock 2, S Blackman 2, J Cooper 0, L Jones 0, Leighton 0, M Richards 0, S Shanks 0

w/e 05/03/06

38 IPSWICH BOBCATS -v- NORTHANTS LIGHTNING 73 

Ipswich Bobcats gave a fighting performance but could not prevent a 38-73 defeat to leaders Northants Lightning when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday.

Northants dominated from the outset and early baskets from Angeline Field, Manal Cali and Danielle Ward saw Lightning take a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter, forcing Bobcats coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere to call a time out.

A corner shot by Lois Nunn at the end of a well worked offence opened the Bobcats scoring, but the inside strength of Field and Cali and their domination of the offensive boards kept Lightning in control as they ended the quarter with a commanding 18-5 lead.

Cali extended the Northants lead with four quick points at the start of the second quarter and although Kerry Moore was successful from the free throw line and Frankie Baisden cam off the bench to score from a lay up, Bobcats could not prevent the visitors going 30-9 ahead midway through the period.

Ipswich responded with an inside basket by Natalie Field and a mid range shot by Lauren Lindsay but Cali capped a fine first half display for Lightning with three baskets in as many minutes. 

Late scores by Kerry Moore saw Bobcats cut the Northants lead to 39-17 at the interval and Bobcats made a bright start to the third quarter when Lindsay hit a lay up and then scored two points from the free throw line after being fouled by Ward.  Any hopes of a recovery were quickly dashed when Angeline Field combined with Naomi Sterling to hit successive baskets and extend the Northants lead to 50-25.

Victoria Brownsell then hit an inside basket and Natalie Field scored from midrange before Laura Brocklebank came off the Ipswich bench to score from an impressive inside move, but Lightning stepped up a gear and three more baskets by the athletic Cali extended the Northants lead to 58-27 as the match went into the final quarter.

Lightning coaches John Collins and Karen Goodrich had the luxury of being able to give their bench players an extended run and although Bobcats prevented the visitors adding to their tally until midway through the final quarter, baskets by Crystal Sterling and Holly Baker edged Northants further ahead.

A pair of successful free throws by Cali sealed a game high 27 points for the Northants player before Jordan Elliott-King came of the Lightning bench to hit a big three-point basket from the corner.  A final three-pointer by Kerry Moore sealed a 14 point tally for the Ipswich guard, but could not prevent a strong Northants side running out comfortable 73-38 winners. 

Bobcats return to action in the Junior Women’s National League in two weeks time when they make the long journey to Tyneside to the face Tyne & Wear Titans.  Bobcats need to win to secure runners up spot in the northern section and gain home advantage in the quarter finals of the end of season play offs.

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:

Kerry Moore 14, L Lindsay 10, N Field 4, L Nunn 4, L Brocklebank 2, V Brownsell 2, F Baisden 2, R Chambers 0, Kirstie Moore 0, L Weal 0 

Northants Lightning players and scores:

M Cali 27, A Field 21, N Sterling 8, C Sterling 6, D Ward 4, H Scott Evans 2, J Elliott-King 3, H Baker 2, E Clarke 0, R Francis 0, G Patrick 0

“Lightning” clinches Northern Conference. 

Ipswich “Bobcats”         38 – 73              Northants “Lightning”      

The Northants “Lightning” clinched the Junior Women’s Northern Conference title with a battling win over Ipswich “Bobcats” last Saturday.  The win on the back of outstanding displays from Angeline Field and Nauel Cali who totalled 48 points and 30 rebounds between them. 

This game had more meaning because Ipswich was in second place and had only been beaten once. A win for the “Bobcats” be more than they had been beaten would hand the title to them but that scenario was never in question as the “Lighting” leapt out to an early lead. Ipswich however, were in determined mood and added a degree of physicality to that determination. Even so the county girls held the upper hand at the end of the first period of play by an 18-5 margin. 

The “Lightning” game plan was simple, get the ball to their big centres Field and Cali and let them go to work close to basket. The two girls did this superbly and by half time the lead had grown to 39-17 and the title was in sight. 

Ipswich had other thoughts and using a pressing zone they scored the opening five points of the third quarter. The “Lightning” adjusted their tactics and with Field still dominant close to basket and Naomi Sterling doing a good job ball handling Cali now found space for a number of short range jump shots. By the end of the third period the leads had been extended to 29 at 58-29 and by now the “Bobcats” were a spent force and the “Lightning” was able to play out time and take the title.  

At the end of the game Coach, John Collins highlighted the team ethic that had prevailed throughout the season. As far as the Ipswich game was concerned Collins paid tribute to the defensive work of Crystal Sterling and Hannah Scott-Evans who had restricted Ipswich’s outstanding Lauren Lindsay to just 10 points.  

This Saturday the team are play in the Sure Shot National Cup Final at the Jesse Boot Arena in Nottingham. Their opponents in that Final will be Manchester “Mystics”.  

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 48 HARINGEY ANGELS 69 

After the excitement of the under 16 match between the two teams, it was left to the Southend Swifts under 18 side to get a victory over Haringey. 

There was nothing in it in the first quarter as both sides pressing defence caused numerous turnovers that prevented any flow to the game.  For once Haringey did not have a major height advantage as Swifts' 6' 3" Rebecca Rambin, 6' 2" Jane Barclay and 6' Emma Hart battled strongly, with the scores tied at 12 at the end of the first quarter. 

Still neither side could break away with the scores tied at 17 before an 8-2 run for Southend gave them a lead.  Angels battled back to 27-26 before Swifts made what should have been a crucial break to lead 35-26 at the half time interval. 

The teams traded baskets to 39-30 but Haringey upped their defensive intensity which caused Swifts to take rushed shots that they failed to convert and suddenly the visitors were ahead by five although scores from Abi Dempsey and Lauren Kidd gave the home side renewed hope as they trailed just 46-43 going into the final stanza. 

But that would be the closest it would get as an 11-1 stretch took Angels clear.  Southend missed opportunities they have readily converted all season to end up disappointing losers by 69-48 which will consign them to third place in their conference and mean they will have to travel in the first round of the play-offs in their quest to get to RAF Cosford for the end of season competition.  Kidd 18 and Dempsey 11 the only scorers of note. 

Next Saturday sees the senior team play their final game of the season away at Colchester followed by the under 16 team at home to Brixton at 5 pm.  On Sunday the same two teams will meet in the reverse fixture in South London.

w/e 26/02/06

“Lightning” close in on the Conference title 

Chiltern “Pumas”            36 – 83              Northants “Lightning”      

The Northants “Lightning” are now just one win away from picking up the Northern Conference title after a convincing win over Chiltern “Pumas” last Saturday. The deciding match is this coming Saturday when the team travel to second place Ipswich “Bobcats”  

Against Chiltern the “Lightning” dominated the game for three quarters of the game despite the absence of leading scorer Nauel Cali who is struggling with an ankle injury. Going into the final period of play the “Lightning” led 72-23 but were guilty of ‘taking their foot off the gas” and Chiltern responded with a spirited full court press which saw them take the period 13-11. 

In the 47 points win Angeline Field top scored with 22 points whilst pulling down 12 rebounds. Gabby Patrick supported excellently with 12 points while the Sterling sisters Naomi and Crystal both played influential roles; Naomi scoring 16 points and Crystal pulling down 10 rebounds to go with her 7 point haul.

w/e 19/02/06

“Lightning” blow away “Force” 

Birmingham “Force”       22 – 89              Northants “Lightning”      

The Northants “Lightning” continued on their undefeated way with a one-sided win against Birmingham “Force”. Several of the Birmingham players were extremely tired having just played in a Cadette game even so the “Force” started well and by the end of the first quarter only trailed the county girls 19-10. That prompted more intense defence from the “Lightning” and in the next three periods the Birmingham girls only managed 12 further points. 

The “Lightning” was playing without the services leading scorer Nauel Cali  who was resting an ankle injury but with Angeline Field and Crystal Sterling dominating the rebounding department and Naomi Sterling and Danielle Ward making 18 steals between them the game was no more than a ‘walk in the park’ for the “Lightning”. Coach, John Collins was able to give his under-aged players plenty of court time and all ten got onto the score sheet. Field led the scoring with 22 points; Erin Clarke had her most productive game of the season with 14 while sisters Crystal and Naomi Sterling both got into double figures. 

That win keeps the “Lightning” on top of the Northern Conference and extends their unbeaten Conference record to nine. This weekend the team travel to Chiltern “Pumas”.

SEVENOAKS SUNS 82  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 65 

The Southend Swifts under 18 side travelled to league leaders Sevenoaks Suns looking to repeat their home victory of three weeks previously, this being the only defeat suffered by the Kent team so far this season. 

With a number of the Swifts players having been in action the previous evening in Cardiff, unsurprisingly Sevenoaks made the early running, taking an 8-3 lead.  But despite receiving constant defensive pressure from numerous opponents, captain Abi Dempsey again inspired her team and a three-pointer from Emma Hart and excellent foul shooting from Dempsey and Lauren Kidd, Swifts found themselves 16-11 ahead at the end of the first quarter. 

A Kidd three-pointer made it an eight point game but Suns hit back with an 11-2 run that took them ahead by 1.  Rebecca Rambin used her 6' 3" frame to begin to dominate but the teams continued to exchange baskets with Sevenoaks leading 34-30 at the half time interval. 

Two scores for each side left the margin at four before the home side made the decisive break with an 11-4 run that took the score to 49-38 and despite a Rambin three-point play and an outrageous driving lay-up by the tireless Rebecca Brough the lead for Suns was 61-44 with one quarter remaining. 

Swifts looked to up the tempo with more defensive pressure and with Jacquelyn Jobey and Jane Barclay excelling at both ends of the court, the Essex side at least stemmed the tide although they could get no closer than the 17 point margin which at the end of an excellent match saw Sevenoaks win by 82 points to 65 with Dempsey on 24 and Rambin 11.

83 IPSWICH BOBCATS -v- CHILTERN PUMAS 46 

Ipswich Bobcats maintained their push for home advantage in the end of season play offs with a convincing 83-46 victory over Chiltern Pumas when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday.

Bobcats began well when a lay up by Kerry Moore was quickly followed by a mid range basket by Lois Nunn and a strong drive through the Chiltern defence by Lauren Lindsay to open up an early 8-2 lead.

Chiltern responded with baskets by Kathryn Bagley and Emma Harris but the Ipswich guards continued to dominate and two further baskets by Lindsay took Bobcats 18-6 ahead with two minutes of the quarter to play.

Pumas stepped up their offence and three successive baskets by the impressive Carly Benton cut the Ipswich lead to 20-14 going into the second quarter.  Bobcats responded well to the challenge with Nunn hitting a pair of lay ups, Roxanne Chambers giving her usual battling display and Kerry Moore adding three more points from the line to extend the lead to 29-16.

Chiltern coach Geoff Barr was forced to call a time out but Bobcats were in no mood to give the visitors any second chances and with Frankie Baisden and Laura Brocklebank brought into the game they continued to dominate the Pumas defence.

A close range basket by Layla Weal and four baskets in as many minutes by Nunn took Ipswich to a commanding 41-21 lead at the interval to give coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere the luxury of being able to rotate their players.  Despite resting Nunn at the restart, the combination of Kerry Moore, Weal, Brocklebank, Lindsay and Field proved extremely effective, piling on 16 points in just four minutes as Bobcats raced to a 57-23 lead and force Chiltern to call another time out to try to stem the tide.

Pumas responded with a run of five unanswered baskets by Harris, Benton and Upfield but another lay up by Nunn and a free throw by Kirstie Moore kept Bobcats 60-35 ahead as the match went into the final quarter.

Nunn returned to the line up and quickly exploited the tiring Pumas defence, scoring 11 of her season high 27 point tally during the final quarter.  Kirstie Moore also got on the score sheet with a basket from the top of the key and Layla Weal sealed a fine game with a confidently taken basket from just inside the three point line.

Pumas’ Becky Ponnuthurai stepped up to score the game’s only three-pointer with five minutes remaining and was on hand to follow up with an inside shot but late scores by Natalie Field and a third basket by the impressive Laura Brocklebank saw the Ipswich forward complete a fine performance with a six point tally as Bobcats ran out comfortable 83-46 winners.

Bobcats return to action in the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday 4th  March with a top of the table clash against leaders Northants Lightning.  The match takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre and tips off at 4.15 p.m. 

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:

L Nunn 27, Kerry Moore 17, L Lindsay 16, N Field 8, L Brocklebank 6, L Weal 6, Kirstie Moore 3, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0 

Chiltern Pumas players and scores:

C Benton 17, E Harris 10, K Bagley 5, B Ponnuthurai 5, H Jenner 4, A Upfield 3, E Proestos 2, J Dorney Kingdom 0, M Duffy 0, R Jenner 0

w/e 12/02/06

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 87  LONDON CAPITALS 26

On a busy day at Greensward College, the Southend Swifts under 18 womens team were first into action against London Capitals; a team they had already beaten comfortably earlier in the season.

With the Londoners arriving late and with just six players, the game seemed likely to be one sided and so it proved as Southend scored the first 19 points on their way to a 28-2 first quarter lead, with 10 players already on the scoresheet.  The second period was largely the same, with the highlight for the home side being a first basket at this level for 13 year old Christina Gaskin; the score at the half time break showing 53 points to 8.

In order to keep the margin within reasonable bounds, it was agreed to play the remaining two quarters with a "running clock". Helen Francis contributed six straight points as the lead stretched to 68-16 with one period remaining and with Abi Dempsey scoring 13 in the shortened final stanza, the winning margin of 87 points to 26 was really a damage limitation exercise on behalf of the visitors.