CT v Southside Flyers 21/01/12

Team 1: Karl, Sean, Matt F, Dan, Josh.

Team 2: Joe. MattA, So, Tom, Harry.

First Half:

Team 1 had a difficult start to the match. Southside Flyers came out aggressively to score twice within the first minute. Cheadle responded with some hard defensive play for the next few minutes, stopping any further score and moving into attack, forcing a foul from the Flyers which Josh converted into Cheadle's first 2 points. It looked as if CT were back in the game, but from that point SF turned on the pressure. CT defence cracked under the strain, conceding a string of easy baskets and rarely getting the ball out of the danger zone. There was a good drive from Josh just before the exchange that gave him another chance to practise his free shots (and another point), but the rare Cheadle attack was too one-man to worry SF much.

Team 2 came on with the score at 18-3. After a shaky start they went on the attack in a more coordinated way, getting the ball up the court using quick passes that wrong-footed SF's defence and made opportunites. The shooting was a bit inaccurate but Kudos to Joe for CT's first field goal in the 15^th minute. CT defence also looked smart, keeping SF out of the key – unfortunately there were some Southside players who had been practicing those 3-point shots! A smart basket from Tom in the final seconds left the score at 31-7 to SF.

Second Half:

Team 1 made a much better start to the second half, holding back the strong SF attack more confidently than they had before. But although individual CT players demonstrated some good ball skills the CT attack still failed to gel, with players typically not getting into forward positions ready for a pass. Josh and Karl scored - both great individual efforts that showed up some weakness in the SF defences – but CT players in attack often looked isolated. Score at exchange 39-11 to Flyers.

Team 2 came on after 8 minute. They did relax a bit on defence, but were lucky that SF seemed to be slowing down. Again there was a lot of good passing and good positioning in attack. Matt A made some cool drives and 4 points. Joe and Harry both scored by finding a good space, taking a good pass, and making a good shot.

Final score: Cheadle 19 – SF 55 (?)

Stats:

Josh – 5; Joe, Matt A – both 4; Tom, Karl, Harry – 2 each

SF's dangerous players were #5, #8, #12 and #14.

Best bits:

Good to see Josh scoring on the free throws.

Harry, you were 6 inches within the 3 point line when you scored and a minute from the end of the game. You're making me nervous.

And finally, Joe, that was a really great pass at the end of the first half, going straight across the court and through the SF defenders to Tom in high post position. All Tom needed to do was execute a 360° turn to outwit the man marking him to make an easy lay-up from a low crouch! Exciting play, more please.