CT vs TV Spartans (play-off) 16/3/13

Final score: Cheadle Thunder 21 - TV Spartans 41

Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 10 - TV Spartans 15

Thunder team: Joe, Sol, Matt, Dan, Sean, Josh R, Josh H,

Points scored: Josh R 9, Sean 6, Joe 2, Sol 2, Dan 2

Thunder more than doubled their score compared to the last time they faced TV Spartans, which sounds like a better tactical approach to playing against zone defence.  A cracking 3-pointer from Sean and an almost-3-pointer from Joe along with a basket from Dan and baskets from Sol and Josh R kept Thunder's score respectable.

After a tough season, Thunder will be going down to the second division next season, which should see them return to winning ways.

Josh R. is moving teams - probably to Heaton Venom - which means this is most likely the last match report I'll write for Thunder.  I'm not sure how long the lads have been playing - four years?  Thanks to everyone past and present, player and parent.  It's been lots of fun.

Here are a couple of photos from times past (when Cheadle Thunder won yr 5/6 Div 1).

All the best,

Iain.

CT vs Heaton Hawks 9/3/13

Final score: Cheadle Thunder 18 - Heaton Hawks 44

Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 7 - Heaton Hawks 16

Thunder team: Joe, Sol, Matt, Sean, Josh R, Dan, Josh H, Sean

Points scored: Josh R 8, Sol 7, Joe 3

CT vs Heaton Falcons 09/3/13

Final score: Cheadle Thunder 19 - Heaton Falcons 35

Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 6 - Heaton Falcons 19

Thunder team: Joe, Sol, Matt, Sean, Josh R, Josh H, Dan

Points scored: Josh 8, Sol 6, Joe 5

CT vs Heaton Venom, 2/3/13

Final score: Cheadle Thunder 26 - Heaton Venom 35

Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 13 - Heaton Venom 11

Thunder team: Joe, Sol, Matt, Sean, Josh, Tom

Points scored: Joe 10, Josh 8, Sol 4, Matt 2, Sean 2

The first half was a good one for Thunder who were four points clear at one point, but Venom were able to up their game in the second half and Thunder struggled to reply.

We had the now-traditional player fouled off (which we almost always get with this one ref, and never seem to even come close with any other ref), but that didn't disguise the problems in the second half.

Thunder's marking was far too loose, allowing Venom players clear space and letting them break away from their marker too easily.  Our shooting was sloppy in the second half and we weren't getting people into the key to pick up the rebounds.  The result was too many occasions when they took easy baskets or picked up the offensive rebound, and Venom scoring nearly as many points in the second half as Thunder did in the whole game.

There were some good moments, but Thunder's tactical weaknesses are being exposed too regularly by the opposition.

CT vs TV Spartans 23/2/13

Final score: Cheadle Thunder 9 - TV Spartans 33

Half time score: Cheadle Thunder 6 - TV Spartans 15

Thunder team: Joe, Sol, Matt, Dan, Sean, Josh, Josh H, Tom

Points scored: Josh 5, Sean 2, Kane 2

A very disappointing and frustrating game in which Thunder were well-beaten.  The game highlighted Thunder's tactical weaknesses.  TV Spartans played zone defence, which is fairly easy for a well-drilled team to defeat (you take the longer shots and get men around the basket for the rebounds).  Unfortunately, Thunder struggled, and that's a lesson to learn for future training sessions.