Division 1 Final ; CT v Thamside Tigers 8/10/11

First Half: (starting line-up Dan, Josh, Sol, Matt F & Joe).

After Dan tipped off for Cheadle there was a fast start to the match with the possession changing sides by the second. Matt F scored the first 2 points for CT in the second minute, which Josh soon followed up. Thameside had as much of the ball as Cheadle, and made some good fast transitions (#9 and #55 in particular), but CT marked well and these runs usually ended in near misses. CT used their height to advantage in defence and TT were rarely allowed a clear shot at the basket. 4 points from Joe (including 2 good free throws) and 2 more from Josh brought the score before the exchange to 10-4 to Cheadle.

The new CT line-up (Harry, Matt A, Tom, Sean, Karl) played a more defensive game, rarely losing possession of the ball, with Tom and Harry getting close up and personal with the Tigers to regain possession whenever the ball did get into the wrong hands. Matt A was on a rebound mission, repeatedly, and brilliantly, snatching the ball from under the noses of the crowded TT players and running it round them to set up shots. Cheadle were a bit unlucky in their shooting, but stopped any further score from TT for a demoralising 10 minutes, their #9 making 2 free throws only in the last few seconds.

Half time score: 15-6 to Cheadle.

Second Half: (back to 1^st line-up)

Penalty shots went to both sides in the first minutes of the game, with TT revived and looking more aggressive than they were in the first half. But their drives up court were thwarted by Dan the Crab and Matt A running them down the side-lines and out of court. After 5 minutes play, and a single basket from TT#22, CT went on the attack. Joe, Matt F and Sol added 10 points before TT could work out what hit them fight back. 2 free-throws from TT#9 brought the score to 26-12 to CT.

2^nd line-up came in with quick baskets from Tom and Sean. Again, CT kept close control of the game, with Matt A still in control of rebounds. Only TT #9 had the skill and energy to break through and score. A basket from Harry came out of nowhere. Sean scored another in the last minute. The clock ticked off the last few seconds. Sean held the ball up over his head and everyone waiting to see what he'd do. All he had to do was wait - a fantastic ending to a great game!

Final score (official): 32 -15 to CT.

Stats:

CT: Joe – 11; Sean – 9; Matt A, Sol, Josh – 4 each; Karl, Tom, Harry – 2 each

TT; #9 – 6; #55 – 4; #14 – 3; #22 – 2.

Yes, the scores don't add up for Cheadle; the scorers managed to miss Tom's basket off the official list – probably because Sean scored just a few seconds later – so the unofficial score is 34 – 15. (Ian, I think the calls of “We know where you live” from the rowdy element on the supporters bench, aka The Mums, were directed at the ref – so you're probably safe!)

Pros and Cons

Well, we've got the 1^st Division Trophy so that's a big  pro!

Hard to criticise Winners but the score could have been higher – there were a few wild shots that could have been easy passes to a better placed team-mate.

The last time we played Thameside Tigers they forced a dangerous number of fouls from CT, and they were clearly trying the same play again. The tactic was less successful this time with Cheadle using more advanced defence, keeping TT to the side-lines, and taking possession more aggressively. This meant that TT had less chance to drive for the basket and force the fouls. A good thing too as they didn't miss many of the free-throws that they got this time (9 points in all from free-throws – only a couple of misses).

Oh, and I forgot to say, We Won.

Get Well Soon: to the TT player sent off with a bloody nose after getting a face full of Sean's steel elbow.

Man of the Match:

It's just got to be Matt A for going to the extreme on the rebounds. The ball just kept coming back to him. Well done, Boomerang.

Next Match: Sat 15th`Oct at 11.50 v Rebel Renegades. See you there.