CT v Rebel Razors 01/10/11 Play-off

First Half:

RR started the match at 1:30 by taking control of the ball from the tip-off, getting it to the basket and scoring before the clock said 1:31. For the next 2 minutes Cheadle looked dazed while the Razors looked fast and agile. Their #40, in particular,  manoeuvred his way around the CT players to take several shots. Cheadle were lucky that only one of them scored.

At 1:33, 3 minutes late, CT started to defend. Using their height advantage Cheadle mobbed the  smaller RR players, stopped them shooting or passing effectively, and forcing them into errors. As soon as CT took possession of the ball it was passed out to Sean or Joe to make a quick transition down the court to the basket, piling on the points - 14 in the next 3 minutes.

When Razors tried to get the ball back up the court they met determined resistance from Cheadle,  forcing them to the sidelines (Dan's sideways run looking smart here). This did also force a brilliant 3 pt shot from their #41 but attempts by RR players to repeat this shot were unsuccessful for the rest of the game. 

Joe, Sean, Karl, Dan and Josh handed over to Harry, Tom, Sol and the two Matts after 12 minutes play, with the score standing at 22-10 to CT. The new combo played a  more defensive game, only letting RR score 3, but were not so successful in the attack - although there were plenty of groan-worthy near-misses!

Half Time Score: 24 - 13 to CT

Second Half:


Super-Collider Sol showed RR that Cheadle could be quick of the mark too by scoring in the first minute, and CT kept control of the match from then on, scoring steadily.

Razors certainly hadn't given up, but failed to score until #40 made a good basket in the 12th minute. In the last 4 minutes they revived a bit (as Cheadle relaxed their defense) and looked like the team that took that early lead in the match. But Cheadle were just "free-wheeling" to victory.

Final Score: 42 - 19 to CT

Stats:

CT: Joe - 14; Sean - 10; Harry, Matt A, Tom, Josh, Karl, Sol, Matt F - 2 each 
RR: #40 - 10; #32 - 4; #41 - 3; #0 (very fair kid in blue T-shirt) - 2

Pros and Cons: 
A bit dodgy at the beginning - you had us all biting our nails for a few minutes there but you kept your nerve, got into the game and showed them who was boss. And a bit too relaxed at the end! But overall a great show by Cheadle. Nice to get our own back too.


Man of the Match:
Everyone was on top form, so I really don't know. Most memorable basket came from Matt F - achieved after swerving around all the RR players one after another (I'm exaggerating, but it looked like all of them).

New Nickname: Dan, It's just got to be "The Crab". Don't laugh too loud, lads, I'm working on ideas for the rest of you.

SEE YOU AT THE FINAL!