Saturday 15th December 2012: Cheadle Thunder 26 - 41 Heaton Hawks
Not much to say about this game - and I didn't get the chance to get a copy of the scoresheet so I don't know who scored what.
Hawks deserved to win, though Thunder didn't play badly but unfortunately the way the game was reffed made the whole thing a bit of a farce. Thunder were down to three players at the end, though the chances of playing a sensible game had vanished quite a long time before we got to that stage. Very disappointing.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Saturday, 8 December 2012
CT vs Heaton Venom, 08/12/12
Saturday 8th December 2012: Cheadle Thunder 26 - 29 Heaton Venom
Half Time: Cheadle Thunder 10 - 16 Heaton Venom
Not a game of two halves, but for Thunder definitely a game of two parts. For the first ten minutes, Cheadle looked like they'd barely played basketball before. Venom players were left unmarked in the key, or allowed to stroll in and score easy baskets. Passes went astray and, as Venom built up a ten point lead, it looked like the game might be a big embarrassment.
After about ten minutes, Barry called a time out and had a quiet chat with the team - as Barry tends to do - and Thunder remembered how to play. From that point on, Cheadle had the edge for the rest of the game.
Had Thunder played the first ten minutes the way they played the last 30, they would have won comfortably. Unfortunately, they didn't and it's the whole game that counts - despite closing the gap to as little as two points, Thunder couldn't quite get ahead and Venom ended up winning by three.
When they were playing well, Thunder did all the right things. Venom were closely marked, closed down and mobbed in the key - they went from being able to take comfortable shots at their leisure to being blocked time and again.
In attack, Thunder were good. Both sides had their share of speculative shots from too far out, but in the second half Thunder were slightly better at creating space, passing the ball and driving into the key.
Today also saw the return of Kane - a founder team member of Cheadle Thunder who left the team a couple of years ago. Kane had a good first game back, even making a basket.
Points scored: Joshua - 10, Sean - 6, Joe - 6, Sol - 2, Kane - 2
Venom points scored: #9 - 11, #5 - 6, #10 - 6, #7 - 5, #11 - 1.
Thunder man of the match: Josh who came out as top scorer as well as taking the Point Guard position and taking quite a few defensive rebounds.
Half Time: Cheadle Thunder 10 - 16 Heaton Venom
Not a game of two halves, but for Thunder definitely a game of two parts. For the first ten minutes, Cheadle looked like they'd barely played basketball before. Venom players were left unmarked in the key, or allowed to stroll in and score easy baskets. Passes went astray and, as Venom built up a ten point lead, it looked like the game might be a big embarrassment.
After about ten minutes, Barry called a time out and had a quiet chat with the team - as Barry tends to do - and Thunder remembered how to play. From that point on, Cheadle had the edge for the rest of the game.
Had Thunder played the first ten minutes the way they played the last 30, they would have won comfortably. Unfortunately, they didn't and it's the whole game that counts - despite closing the gap to as little as two points, Thunder couldn't quite get ahead and Venom ended up winning by three.
When they were playing well, Thunder did all the right things. Venom were closely marked, closed down and mobbed in the key - they went from being able to take comfortable shots at their leisure to being blocked time and again.
In attack, Thunder were good. Both sides had their share of speculative shots from too far out, but in the second half Thunder were slightly better at creating space, passing the ball and driving into the key.
Today also saw the return of Kane - a founder team member of Cheadle Thunder who left the team a couple of years ago. Kane had a good first game back, even making a basket.
Points scored: Joshua - 10, Sean - 6, Joe - 6, Sol - 2, Kane - 2
Venom points scored: #9 - 11, #5 - 6, #10 - 6, #7 - 5, #11 - 1.
Thunder man of the match: Josh who came out as top scorer as well as taking the Point Guard position and taking quite a few defensive rebounds.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
CT vs Lapwings, 1/12/12
Saturday 1st December 2012: Cheadle Thunder 23 - 37 Lapwings
Half time: Cheadle Thunder 13 - 14 Lapwings
Going up against a national league team was always going to be tough - although Thunder lost, the team played well. The first half was another tight one with Thunder just ahead most of the time and Lapwings just edging in front at the death. In the second half Lapwings speed and shooting skills proved too much, with a few quick baskets and a couple of three-pointers putting the game out of reach.
Thunder didn't give up though, and in the last few minutes they again kept up with Lapwings and pegged them back.
In some ways the game was a frustrating one, but there were lots of positives. Thunder's passing (accuracy and speed), offensive and defensive rebounds and scoring ability against a determined opposition was a world ahead of where the team was six months ago, as was the reading of the game.
Had this game happened at the beginning of the year, Thunder would have been pinned back. As it was, they made their own fair share of breaks and defended well against taller and faster opposition.
The attack team of Joe, Sol and Josh kept the pressure on with regular breaks, moving the ball around well, while Dan, Tom and Matt not only defended strongly but moved the ball around quickly in attack. The whole game was played at breakneck speed with both sides constantly working to score the next basket.
Points scored: Joshua 11, Sol 8, Joe 2, Tom 2.
Thunder man of the match: Dan for some really impressive interceptions, passing and defensive rebounds against tough opposition.
Half time: Cheadle Thunder 13 - 14 Lapwings
Going up against a national league team was always going to be tough - although Thunder lost, the team played well. The first half was another tight one with Thunder just ahead most of the time and Lapwings just edging in front at the death. In the second half Lapwings speed and shooting skills proved too much, with a few quick baskets and a couple of three-pointers putting the game out of reach.
Thunder didn't give up though, and in the last few minutes they again kept up with Lapwings and pegged them back.
In some ways the game was a frustrating one, but there were lots of positives. Thunder's passing (accuracy and speed), offensive and defensive rebounds and scoring ability against a determined opposition was a world ahead of where the team was six months ago, as was the reading of the game.
Had this game happened at the beginning of the year, Thunder would have been pinned back. As it was, they made their own fair share of breaks and defended well against taller and faster opposition.
The attack team of Joe, Sol and Josh kept the pressure on with regular breaks, moving the ball around well, while Dan, Tom and Matt not only defended strongly but moved the ball around quickly in attack. The whole game was played at breakneck speed with both sides constantly working to score the next basket.
Points scored: Joshua 11, Sol 8, Joe 2, Tom 2.
Thunder man of the match: Dan for some really impressive interceptions, passing and defensive rebounds against tough opposition.
CT vs TV Spartans, 1/12/12
Saturday 1st December 2012: Cheadle Thunder 23 - 18 TV Spartans
Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 10 - 9 TV Spartans
A cracking game that wasn't settled until the last 30 seconds, and a good win for Thunder against top-of-the-table Spartans.
Last week saw Thunder lose their game against Heaton Falcons right at the start: Falcons had opened up a 12 point lead at half time and although a much stronger Thunder performance in the second half pulled it back to a five point game, it wasn't enough.
This week, five man Thunder took on Spartan's eight man squad and it was always going to be a tough one if they'd fallen behind.
The first half was neck-and-neck as first one side and then the other opened up one or two point leads. Thunder played superbly, working hard to neutralise the two taller Spartans players, harrying at every opportunity. The defending was strong - Thunder have really got the hang of closing down the opposition and playing a physical game.
At the other end, Cheadle struggled to break down a well-disciplined Spartan defence, but scoring on the break plus a couple of well-taken longer shots saw Thunder go into the second half with a critical one point lead.
The second half was nearly as tight, but despite having no subs, it was Thunder who looked the livelier team. As errors started to creep into Spartan's game, Thunder stayed ahead by between two and six points.
Towards the end our master tactician and coach Barry made sure Thunder slowed the game down - forcing more errors and fouls from Spartans that resulted in Joe securing a few more points from free throws at the end.
Man of the match goes to Joe, scoring 16 points - one of those happy days where everything seemed to go in. Sol's shooting was good and Joshua was particularly strong in defence, making life very difficult for Jay - their big number 34. Matt and Tom's work was superb - quick passing, strong defence and lots of interceptions stopped Spartans playing the game they wanted to.
Spartan's strongest players were their top scorer #10 (Dan) and the two taller players #34 (Jay) and #7 (Ravi).
Points scored: Joe - 16, Sol 5, Josh 2.
Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 10 - 9 TV Spartans
A cracking game that wasn't settled until the last 30 seconds, and a good win for Thunder against top-of-the-table Spartans.
Last week saw Thunder lose their game against Heaton Falcons right at the start: Falcons had opened up a 12 point lead at half time and although a much stronger Thunder performance in the second half pulled it back to a five point game, it wasn't enough.
This week, five man Thunder took on Spartan's eight man squad and it was always going to be a tough one if they'd fallen behind.
The first half was neck-and-neck as first one side and then the other opened up one or two point leads. Thunder played superbly, working hard to neutralise the two taller Spartans players, harrying at every opportunity. The defending was strong - Thunder have really got the hang of closing down the opposition and playing a physical game.
At the other end, Cheadle struggled to break down a well-disciplined Spartan defence, but scoring on the break plus a couple of well-taken longer shots saw Thunder go into the second half with a critical one point lead.
The second half was nearly as tight, but despite having no subs, it was Thunder who looked the livelier team. As errors started to creep into Spartan's game, Thunder stayed ahead by between two and six points.
Towards the end our master tactician and coach Barry made sure Thunder slowed the game down - forcing more errors and fouls from Spartans that resulted in Joe securing a few more points from free throws at the end.
Man of the match goes to Joe, scoring 16 points - one of those happy days where everything seemed to go in. Sol's shooting was good and Joshua was particularly strong in defence, making life very difficult for Jay - their big number 34. Matt and Tom's work was superb - quick passing, strong defence and lots of interceptions stopped Spartans playing the game they wanted to.
Spartan's strongest players were their top scorer #10 (Dan) and the two taller players #34 (Jay) and #7 (Ravi).
Points scored: Joe - 16, Sol 5, Josh 2.
Fixtures, 1st December 2012 to 5th January 2013
Sat 1st December 2.20pm Thunder vs TV Spartans
Sat 1st December 6.30pm Thunder vs Lapwings
Sat 8th December 2.20pm Thunder vs Heaton Venom
Sat 15th December 1.30pm Thunder vs Heaton Hawks
Sat 5th Jan 11am Thunder vs Lapwings
Sat 1st December 6.30pm Thunder vs Lapwings
Sat 8th December 2.20pm Thunder vs Heaton Venom
Sat 15th December 1.30pm Thunder vs Heaton Hawks
Sat 5th Jan 11am Thunder vs Lapwings
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