First Half: The game got off to a flying start with two quick and easy baskets for CT from Joe. SV, one man down from the start, defended poorly against Cheadle's excellent passes and drives.
When they did get the ball Vipers didn't keep it long - CT players were defending as aggressively as they attacked and SV looked increasingly frustrated as Dan used his height and long reach to block passes that would have been safe against anyone else.
This left plenty of chances for Cheadle to score with Joe and Matt A both racking up their scores to 8 points before half time.
Half Time Score: CT 22: SV 1 (I think!- see below*)
Second Half:
SV managed to defend for a whole 3 minutes at the start of the half until Joe made the first two points of the Cheadle second-half onslaught.
Then Tom took the lead in the attack, taking 6 baskets in all including an impressive run of 4 baskets from the 10 minute mark that left the Vipers floundering until they realised it might be a good idea to mark him.
CT defense did fade away a bit in the last 5 minutes of the match, allowing the Vipers, who fought on until the final second, to take the last basket.
Final Score: CT 46: SV 7
Stats:
CT: Tom -14; Joe, Matt F -12; Sol - 8; Matt A - 2.
SV: #7 - 3; #5 - 2.
*Anyone who can count can see that the scores don't add up to a final score of 46:7- I couldn't read my notes! Can anyone correct this?
Pros and Cons:
SV played only four men and started the game at a big disadvantage. But CT didn't take their opponents for granted - which must have been a temptation - and had them under pressure from the start.
Not much to criticise in CT's performance, although I noticed that Andy was warning the team not to crowd together in the key in defence. And at the very end of the match Cheadle let up the pace; a bad habit to get into, sometimes that last basket will make the difference.
But overall this was a good match for Cheadle with all players really working as a team in attack and defence.
SV's #7 (fast) and #5 (aggressive) are their dangerous players, but the team didn't support them. As a team they were slow to defend and rarely picked up the rebound, making it easy for Cheadle to take advantag.
Highlights
OK I'm biased, but it's got to be Tom (that's my son that is) going on the rampage in the second half. On the supporters bench we particularly liked his last basket - after missing two easy shots and catching the ball on the rebound, Tom finally managed to get it into the basket one handed, while being mobbed by the Vipers and from a crouch facing in the wrong direction. Always the joker!
Safety advice
Viper's kit was a really bright red. Next time, bring your sun-glasses.
Get well soon to Sean
Sean is out of action for a while with his hand in plaster after what sounds like a nasty accident and some surgery. Doctors have advised no sport for 4 weeks. I'm sure the whole team will sympathise with how bored he's feeling, and wish him a speedy recovery.
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