Ipswich
Basketball Club
'The Bobcats
& Tomcats'
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Bobcats weekly Season's reports 2005 - 2006 MATCH REPORT Game 13 - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE- PLAY OFF QUARTER FINAL SATURDAY, 22ND APRIL 2006 IPSWICH BOBCATS 62 - 92 SOUTHEND SWIFTS Ipswich Bobcats’ hopes of reaching the Final Four championship play offs at RAF Cosford were dashed when a battling performance could not prevent a 62-92 defeat to Southend Swifts in the quarter finals of the Junior Women’s National League play offs at Northgate Sports Centre on Saturday. Bobcats made a very positive start and baskets by Kerry Moore, Lois Nunn and Natalie Field opened up an 8-2 lead in the third minute. Swifts halved the deficit with a three-pointer by Emma Hart before baskets by Abi Dempsey tied the scores at 11-11 midway through the quarter. Kirstie Moore then hit a basket to give Bobcats a slender lead but a lay up by Lauren Kidd and three quick baskets by Dempsey took Swifts 20-14 ahead. Natalie Field then hit a three-pointer and Laura Brocklebank came off the Ipswich bench to score an inside basket, but a score by Jane Barclay and a three-point shot by Dempsey secured a 25-19 lead for Southend at the end of an exciting and high scoring first quarter. Swifts pulled away at the restart with baskets by Barclay, Hart and Rachel Armstrong and things worsened for Bobcats coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere when Kerry Moore picked up her fourth foul and had to be rested. Bobcats fought back bravely with another basket by Kirstie Moore and two baskets by captain Lauren Lindsay, but a three-point play by Dempsey and a lay up by Kidd extended Southend’s lead to 40-28 three minutes before half time. Victoria Brownsell hit a basket and a big three-pointer to cut the deficit to seven points but Swifts closed out the quarter with baskets by Dempsey and McCarthy to lead 46-33 at the interval. Bobcats were hit with a barrage of three-pointers at the start of the third with Hart and Kidd both finding the basket from long range. Natalie Field continue to dominate in defence making two blocked shots on the way to an incredible total of eight blocks in the game. A pair of free throws by Nunn and baskets by Kerry Moore and Lauren Lindsay kept Bobcats’ hopes alive and a second three-pointer by Field reduced the deficit to a recoverable fifteen points at 42-57 and fired up support from the sizeable home crowd. The inside strength of Hart and Barclay started to show as both scored baskets of well worked Southend offences. Yet another three-pointer by Field kept Ipswich in contention at 46-61 and although Nunn hit two points from the line and Kirstie Moore hit another inside basket, Bobcats still trailed 50-66 as the match went into the final quarter. Southend stepped up the pressure to dispel any lingering hopes of a Bobcats’ fight back and a three-pointer by Kidd was quickly followed by successive scores from Brough and Dempsey to extend Swifts’ lead to 76-51. Kerry Moore scored a basket but Kidd, Barclay and Dempsey piled on four baskets in quick succession as Bobcats started to tire. Swifts pulled away to secure a hard fought 92-62 victory and qualify for the Final Four tournament at RAF Cosford next month. The match marked the end of the junior careers of four players, captain Lauren Lindsay, Natalie Field, Victoria Brownsell and Frankie Baisden, who will all be over age for next season’s competition but all can go forward reflecting on what has been a highly positive season for Bobcats, in which they lost only four matches in all competitions. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: N Field 17, L Nunn 14, L Lindsay 9, Kerry Moore 9, Kirstie Moore 6, V Brownsell 5, L Brocklebank 2, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0, L Weal 0 Southend Swifts players and scores: A Dempsey 33, L Kidd 19, E Hart 16, J Barclay 14, R Brough 6, R Armstrong 2,T McCarthy 2, C Micallef 0, R Rambin 0, S Smith 0, C Wilding 0 EBL RAF Under 18 Women National League Play Off Quarter Final Results 20
Haringey Angels v Tyne & Wear Titans 0
62 Ipswich Bobcats v Southend Swifts 92 Reporting - Ray Oakley 25th April 2006 Game 12 - MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Saturday 1 April 2006 IPSWICH BOBCATS 82 - 35 WEST HERTS WARRIORS Ipswich Bobcats completed the regular season with an emphatic 82-35 victory over West Herts Warriors when the sides met in the northern section Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday. Bobcats opened the scoring in a convincing manner when a well worked offence ended with a basket from three-point range from Natalie Field. Warriors’ captain Stenzel hit a three-pointer at the other end of the court but baskets by Kerry Moore, Lauren Lindsay and Lois Nunn saw Ipswich storm to a 15-3 lead. A basket by McGibbon ended a six minute barren spell for the visitors before Layla Weal came off the Bobcats bench to score two good baskets and help Ipswich take a 23-10 lead as the match went into the second quarter. Bobcats continued their domination at the restart with two inside baskets by Field, and Kerry Moore piled on nine successive points in a dominant three minute spell to stretch the Ipswich lead to 36-10 midway through the second quarter. Woodhouse secured Warriors’ first points of the quarter with a lay up but a pair of free throws by Lindsay and late baskets by Nunn and Field secured a commanding 42-19 lead at the interval. It was all Bobcats again at the start of the third quarter, when Moore continued to prove unstoppable on her drives through the West Herts defence and Field used her height advantage to score off some strong inside moves. Ipswich took a 57-28 lead into the final quarter and an inspired performance by Lois Nunn saw the Ipswich guard score 13 of her 25 point tally in the closing stages to end as joint top scorer with Kerry Moore. There was disappointment for Lauren Lindsay when the Ipswich captain fouled out with five minutes remaining, but she could take pride in a performance that yielded 6 points, 17 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists in what was to be her final appearance as a junior on the Maidenhall court. Victoria Brownsell sealed an 82-35 victory with a three-pointer in the final minute and Frankie Baisden repaid the faith placed in her by coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere with a battling starting five performance that brought no less than 10 rebounds and two good steals. Bobcats now face Southend Swifts in their crucial play off quarter final match for a place in the Final Fours at RAF Cosford at the beginning of May. Swifts finished third in the highly competitive southern section of the Junior Women’s National League and Bobcats will be keen to avenge the 82-97 defeat they suffered when the side met in the National Cup last December. The match takes place on Saturday, 22nd April at Northgate Sports Centre and tips off at 2.40 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: Kerry Moore 25, L Nunn 25, N Field 19, L Weal 4, L Lindsay 6, V Brownsell 3, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0 West Herts Warriors players and scores: J Stenzel 10, E Woodhouse 9, E Byrne 5, R Fearns 3, K McGibbon 3, R Calder 2, J Graceson 2, E Videtta 1, Ray Oakley - 3rd April 2006 Game 11 - MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Sunday 19th March 2006 TYNE & WEAR TITANS 65 - 72 IPSWICH BOBCATS Ipswich Bobcats fended off a strong comeback to secure a fine 72-65 victory over Tyne & Wear Titans when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League in Middlesbrough on Sunday. Bobcats needed to win to guarantee crucial home advantage in the end of season play-offs, but knew that Tyne & Wear would prove formidable opponents on their home court. Ipswich had the better of the early exchanges and went 13-7 ahead when Lois Nunn scored three baskets in as many minutes including a three-pointer form the top of the arc. Titans fought back with a pair of successful free throws by captain Charis Younger before Kerry Melville drove through the Ipswich defence to score a lay up, but Bobcats piled on the pressure with two three-pointers by Victoria Brownsell, who converted the second into a rare four point play after being fouled by Ruth Davison. Baskets by Kerry Moore and Lauren Lindsay took Bobcats to a commanding 28-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and the visitors continued to dominate at the restart when a long range shot by Brownsell in the third minute secured a season high 9 point tally and took Ipswich 38-16 ahead. The introduction of Lauren Loader-Young by Titans coach Harry Wood had a dramatic effect on the game and the Tyne & Wear guard made a three-point play after being fouled by Nunn on her way to a successful lay up. Natalie Field scored from the line at the other end of the court and Lauren Lindsay hit a three-pointer to extend the Ipswich lead to 42-19, but Titans stormed back with a string of baskets by Loader-Young, Melville, Fiona Sturrock and Fiona Blackman to outscore Bobcats 16-4 in an amazing four minute spell to cut the lead to 46-35 at the interval. Field scored immediately at the start of the third quarter but Titans cut the deficit to just seven points with two more baskets by Melville and a pair of free throws by Younger after she was fouled by Kerry Moore. Field was now getting fired up and scored a basket off a good inside move to stave off the threat, but Bobcats plight worsened when Kerry Moore was called for a fourth foul a minute later and was in danger of fouling our early. Baskets by Loader-Young, Younger and the impressive Ruth Davison during a four minute barren spell brought the scores level at 52-52, but Bobcats refused to be overtaken by the Tyne & Wear momentum or the renewed enthusiasm of the noisy home crowd and Lois Nunn scored twice in the closing minute to give Ipswich a slender 56-52 advantage as the match went into the final quarter. Kerry Moore extended the lead to seven points with a three-point play at the restart after being fouled by Younger on her way to the basket, but Melville was becoming an increasing threat for Titans and scored twice to keep Tyne & Wear in contention at 63-57 with six minutes left to play. Loader-Young cut the deficit to just four points with a lay up a minute later and it needed strong inside moves by Lindsay and Field to score to take Ipswich 68-59 ahead with just over four minutes remaining. Titans still refused to capitulate and two quick baskets by Davison cut the deficit to five points and force Ipswich coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere to call a time out to prepare their players for the final effort. Nunn then hit a crucial lay up to secure a game high 19 point tally and Kerry Moore sealed victory with a final lay up after playing over a third of the match on four fouls. Bobcats play their final home game of the regular Junior Women’s National League season on Saturday, 1st April when they face West Herts Warriors. The match takes place at Maidenhall at tips off at 4.15 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: L Nunn 19, Kerry Moore 17, L Lindsay 16, N Field 11, V Brownsell 9, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0, Kirstie Moore 0, L Weal 0 Tyne & Wear Titans players and scores: R Davison 17, L Loader-Young 16, K Melville 16, C Younger 12, F Sturrock 2, S Blackman 2, J Cooper 0, L Jones 0, Leighton 0, M Richards 0, S Shanks 0 Game 10 - MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Saturday 4th March 2006 IPSWICH BOBCATS 38 - 73 NORTHANTS LIGHTNING Ipswich Bobcats gave a fighting performance but could not prevent a 38-73 defeat to leaders Northants Lightning when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday. Northants dominated from the outset and early baskets from Angeline Field, Manal Cali and Danielle Ward saw Lightning take a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter, forcing Bobcats coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere to call a time out. A corner shot by Lois Nunn at the end of a well worked offence opened the Bobcats scoring, but the inside strength of Field and Cali and their domination of the offensive boards kept Lightning in control as they ended the quarter with a commanding 18-5 lead. Cali extended the Northants lead with four quick points at the start of the second quarter and although Kerry Moore was successful from the free throw line and Frankie Baisden cam off the bench to score from a lay up, Bobcats could not prevent the visitors going 30-9 ahead midway through the period. Ipswich responded with an inside basket by Natalie Field and a mid range shot by Lauren Lindsay but Cali capped a fine first half display for Lightning with three baskets in as many minutes. Late scores by Kerry Moore saw Bobcats cut the Northants lead to 39-17 at the interval and Bobcats made a bright start to the third quarter when Lindsay hit a lay up and then scored two points from the free throw line after being fouled by Ward. Any hopes of a recovery were quickly dashed when Angeline Field combined with Naomi Sterling to hit successive baskets and extend the Northants lead to 50-25. Victoria Brownsell then hit an inside basket and Natalie Field scored from midrange before Laura Brocklebank came off the Ipswich bench to score from an impressive inside move, but Lightning stepped up a gear and three more baskets by the athletic Cali extended the Northants lead to 58-27 as the match went into the final quarter. Lightning coaches John Collins and Karen Goodrich had the luxury of being able to give their bench players an extended run and although Bobcats prevented the visitors adding to their tally until midway through the final quarter, baskets by Crystal Sterling and Holly Baker edged Northants further ahead. A pair of successful free throws by Cali sealed a game high 27 points for the Northants player before Jordan Elliott-King came of the Lightning bench to hit a big three-point basket from the corner. A final three-pointer by Kerry Moore sealed a 14 point tally for the Ipswich guard, but could not prevent a strong Northants side running out comfortable 73-38 winners. Bobcats return to action in the Junior Women’s National League in two weeks time when they make the long journey to Tyneside to the face Tyne & Wear Titans. Bobcats need to win to secure runners up spot in the northern section and gain home advantage in the quarter finals of the end of season play offs. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: Kerry Moore 14, L Lindsay 10, N Field 4, L Nunn 4, L Brocklebank 2, V Brownsell 2, F Baisden 2, R Chambers 0, Kirstie Moore 0, L Weal 0 Northants Lightning players and scores: M Cali 27, A Field 21, N Sterling 8, C Sterling 6, D Ward 4, H Scott Evans 2,J Elliott-King 3, H Baker 2, E Clarke 0, R Francis 0, G Patrick 0 Ray Oakley - 7th March 2006 Game 9 - MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Saturday 18th February 2006 IPSWICH BOBCATS 83 - 46 CHILTERN PUMAS Ipswich Bobcats maintained their push for home advantage in the end of season play offs with a convincing 83-46 victory over Chiltern Pumas when the sides met in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday. Bobcats began well when a lay up by Kerry Moore was quickly followed by a mid range basket by Lois Nunn and a strong drive through the Chiltern defence by Lauren Lindsay to open up an early 8-2 lead. Chiltern responded with baskets by Kathryn Bagley and Emma Harris but the Ipswich guards continued to dominate and two further baskets by Lindsay took Bobcats 18-6 ahead with two minutes of the quarter to play. Pumas stepped up their offence and three successive baskets by the impressive Carly Benton cut the Ipswich lead to 20-14 going into the second quarter. Bobcats responded well to the challenge with Nunn hitting a pair of lay ups, Roxanne Chambers giving her usual battling display and Kerry Moore adding three more points from the line to extend the lead to 29-16. Chiltern coach Geoff Barr was forced to call a time out but Bobcats were in no mood to give the visitors any second chances and with Frankie Baisden and Laura Brocklebank brought into the game they continued to dominate the Pumas defence. A close range basket by Layla Weal and four baskets in as many minutes by Nunn took Ipswich to a commanding 41-21 lead at the interval to give coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere the luxury of being able to rotate their players. Despite resting Nunn at the restart, the combination of Kerry Moore, Weal, Brocklebank, Lindsay and Field proved extremely effective, piling on 16 points in just four minutes as Bobcats raced to a 57-23 lead and force Chiltern to call another time out to try to stem the tide. Pumas responded with a run of five unanswered baskets by Harris, Benton and Upfield but another lay up by Nunn and a free throw by Kirstie Moore kept Bobcats 60-35 ahead as the match went into the final quarter. Nunn returned to the line up and quickly exploited the tiring Pumas defence, scoring 11 of her season high 27 point tally during the final quarter. Kirstie Moore also got on the score sheet with a basket from the top of the key and Layla Weal sealed a fine game with a confidently taken basket from just inside the three point line. Pumas’ Becky Ponnuthurai stepped up to score the game’s only three-pointer with five minutes remaining and was on hand to follow up with an inside shot but late scores by Natalie Field and a third basket by the impressive Laura Brocklebank saw the Ipswich forward complete a fine performance with a six point tally as Bobcats ran out comfortable 83-46 winners. Bobcats return to action in the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday 4th March with a top of the table clash against leaders Northants Lightning. The match takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre and tips off at 4.15 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: L Nunn 27, Kerry Moore 17, L Lindsay 16, N Field 8, L Brocklebank 6, L Weal 6, Kirstie Moore 3, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0 Chiltern Pumas players and scores: C Benton 17, E Harris 10, K Bagley 5, B Ponnuthurai 5, H Jenner 4, A Upfield 3, E Proestos 2, J Dorney Kingdom 0, M Duffy 0, R Jenner 0 Ray Oakley 19th February 200 Game 8 -MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Saturday 4th February 2006 BIRMINGHAM FORCE 52 - 86 IPSWICH BOBCATS Ipswich Bobcats moved to the top of the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League when their journey to the Midlands on Saturday was rewarded with an emphatic 86-52 victory over Birmingham Force. Bobcats had been without a competitive fixture for four weeks but quickly found their form when baskets by Kerry Moore, Lois Nunn and Natalie Field established a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Birmingham were finding it very difficult to break down Bobcats’ tight defence, and baskets by Kirstie Moore and Lauren Lindsay took Ipswich to a commanding 16-0 lead. Rochelle Dennis scored Birmingham’s first points from the line, but a series of free throws by Layla Weal, Lois Nunn and Kerry Moore saw Bobcats take a 23-5 lead into the second quarter. Bobcats continued to dominate with an electrifying display of fast break basketball as Lauren Lindsay and Kerry Moore profited from mid court steals to score largely uncontested lay ups and extend the Ipswich lead to 33-7. Birmingham coach David Roberts called a time out and Force responded with baskets by Rochelle Dennis, Alice Patefield and Shinade Walters but any lingering hopes of recovery were quickly dashed when Field demonstrated her long range shooting skills with a three-pointer and then converted two free throws after being fouled by Patefield. Lindsay then hit another lay up off a strong drive to the basket and although Force responded with a three-pointer by Patefield and a free throw by Dennis, a score on the buzzer by Nunn gave Bobcats a comfortable 46-15 half time lead. As had been the case when the sides met at Maidenhall last month, Birmingham saved their best basketball for the third quarter. Dominique Allen opened the scoring for Force with two quick baskets and although Frankie Baisden scored from inside and Lindsay hit two further lay ups, the offensive threat of Patefield and Allen at last started to bring Birmingham some rewards. A run of baskets saw Birmingham cut the Ipswich lead to 52-27 midway through the quarter but Bobcats responded with free throws from Nunn and Kerry Moore. Veronika Oravcova then scored successive baskets for Birmingham but a close range effort by Kirstie Moore saw Ipswich close out the quarter with an unassailable 62-37 lead. Another basket by Oravcova was followed by run of five unanswered baskets by Lois Nunn and Kerry Moore as the Ipswich guards overran the tiring Birmingham defence. Layla Weal then fouled out after committing her fifth foul against Ruth Matta and she was followed less than a minute later by Bobcats captain Lauren Lindsay, who was forced to sit out the closing stages after controversially being called for her fifth foul for an off the ball incidentBobcats shrugged off the setback with a three-point play by Kerry Moore and a mid range basket by Kirstie Moore before Victoria Brownsell completed the scoring with a late three-pointer to secure a fine 86-52 victory. Bobcats return to action on Saturday 18th February when they take on Chiltern Pumas in another junior national league fixture. The match takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre and tips off at 4.15 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 26, L Nunn 19, L Lindsay 16, N Field 11, Kirstie Moore 6, V Brownsell 5, F Baisden 2, L Weal 1, R Chambers 0 Birmingham Force players and scores: A Patefield 15, D Allen 10, R Dennis 8, S Walker 8, I Oravcova 2, V Oravcova 6,S Townsend 2, R Matta 1, S Begum 0, C Montebello 0, RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (North) Table
Reporting - Ray Oakley - 5th February 2006 Game 7 - MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - Saturday 7th January 2006 Ipswich Bobcats 74 - 45 Birmingham Force Ipswich Bobcats maintained their challenge among the leaders of the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League with a comfortable 74-45 victory over Birmingham Force when the sides at Maidenhall on Saturday. Bobcats made a confident start and their pressing defence led to repeated turnovers by Birmingham, enabling Natalie Field and Kerry Moore to take Bobcats 7-2 ahead after just two minutes. Indeed, Kerry Moore continued to give Birmingham guard Ruth Matta a torrid time, repeatedly stealing the ball and scoring uncontested lay ups as Bobcats raced to a 17-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Ipswich remained in command with baskets by Kirstie Moore and Roxanne Chambers but Birmingham continued to play some disciplined offence and baskets by Allen and Patfield kept the visitors in contention when they trailed 23-14 as the match went into the second quarter. Ipswich again started brightly and two baskets by Lois Nunn and a point from the line by Frankie Baisden took Bobcats 28-14 ahead. Birmingham fought back with baskets from Simone Hesson and Ivana Oravcova, but accurate shooting from the free throw line by Lauren Lindsay and successive baskets by Nunn ensured Bobcats took a commanding 40-20 lead into the interval. Coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere reintroduced Kerry Moore at the start of the third quarter and a three-pointer and a lay up by the Bobcat guard took Ipswich 45-24 ahead. A five minute barren spell saw Birmingham recover with baskets by Oravcova and Allen and although Bobcats recovered with late baskets by Kerry Moore and Lois Nunn, it was Birmingham who had the better of the third quarter and sensed a comeback when the Ipswich lead was reduced to 51-36 going into the final period. Bobcats stepped up the game and baskets by Lindsay and Nunn extended the lead to 55-37 before Birmingham coach became incensed at the referee’s decision not to call a defensive foul when Matta was on a drive to the basket. His repeated protestations earned him only a second technical foul and ejection from the hall, and Kerry Moore profited by converting two of the resultant free throws to effectively put the match beyond Birmingham’s reach. Nunn capped a fine afternoon with a lay up and three-pointer to secure a 19 point personal tally and Kerry Moore’s final basket brought her a game high 32 points to go with the 9 steals she secured during the game. Victoria Brownsell scored a lay up from a stolen ball before Birmingham’s afternoon worsened when Ivana Oravcova was called for a fifth foul and Lauren Lindsay converted the free throws arsing from the Oravcova technical foul for dissent as she left the court. Lindsay was again on hand so score the final basket to seal a commanding fourth quarter performance and secure a comfortable 74-45 victory. Bobcats return to action on Saturday 4th February when they once again face Birmingham Force in the return league fixture. The match takes place at Nechells Leisure Centre, Birmingham with a tip off time of 3.15 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 32, L Nunn 19, L Lindsay 12, N Field 4, V Brownsell 2, R Chambers 2, Kirstie Moore 2, F Baisden 1, L Weal 0 Birmingham Force players and scores:D Allen 12, A Patefield 10, I Oravcova 8, R Dennis 4, V Oravcova 4, C Montebello 2, S Hesson 2, S Townsend 2, R Matta 1 Ray Oakley - 10th January 2006 Game 6 - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - SUNDAY, 18TH DECEMBER 2005 IPSWICH BOBCATS 65 - 55 TYNE & WEAR TITANS Bobcats Win In Titanic Struggle Ipswich Bobcats came through a tough test and scored an important 65-55 victory over Tyne & Wear Titans to remain among the leaders in the northern section of the Junior Women’s National League when the sides at Maidenhall on Sunday. Bobcats initially struggled to break down the Titans’ defence, forcing coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere to take the unusual step of calling an early time out before either side had put a score on the board. Kerry Moore finally broke the deadlock in the fourth minute when she scored from the line after being fouled by Tyne & Wear captain Charis Younger and further baskets by Moore and Lauren Lindsay edged Bobcats 9-4 ahead. Titans fought back to tie the scores at 11-11 with a run of baskets by Younger, Fiona Sturrock and Ruth Davison but a mid range shot by Natalie Field gave Bobcats a 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. The visitors dominated at the restart, hitting a run of seven unanswered points to take an 18-13 lead and their tight defence saw Bobcats resort to a relentless barrage of three point attempts. Victoria Brownsell came of the Ipswich bench to hit an important three-pointer to keep Bobcats in touch and the in-form Field hit four baskets in quick succession including two from three point range to restore a 30-24 advantage but late baskets by Davison and Younger kept the match on edge with Bobcats leading 30-28 at the interval. Bobcats played some of their best basketball in third quarter and at last broke down the Tyne & Wear defence with some effective fast breaks and well worked offences. Layla Weal’s tight defence on Sarah Blackman kept Titans’ principal scoring threat at bay as Kerry Moore scored successive baskets and Field continued to dominate inside. Lois Nunn hit two from the line to keep Ipswich 38-35 midway through the quarter. Davison then stepped up to hit a three-pointer to tie the scores but a lay up by Nunn was quickly followed by a three-point play by Moore and a basket by Lindsay as Bobcats pulled away to lead 47-38. Three quick baskets by Davison, Blackman and Sturrock reduced the advantage to 49-46 before a lay up by Nunn and three-pointer on the buzzer from just over the half way line by Kerry Moore saw Bobcats take a 54-46 lead in the final quarter. Another drive by Nunn extended the lead to ten points immediately on the restart and a basket from the top of the key by Weal and inside move by Field gave kept Bobcats 60-49 in front with six minutes remaining. Baskets by Sturrock and Davison kept Titans’ hopes alive but late baskets by Nunn and Field closed out an impressive 65-55 victory. Bobcats return to action on Saturday 7th January when they face Birmingham Force in another Junior Women’s National League fixture. The match takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre with a tip off time of 4.15 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 24, N Field 18, L Nunn 14, L Lindsay 4, V Brownsell 3, L Weal 2,F Baisden 0, J Clark 0 Tyne & Wear Titans players and scores: R Davison 19, F Sturrock 14, S Blackman 13, C Younger 6, K Melville 3, J Cooper 0,B Leighton 0, A Naisbett 0, M Richards 0 Ray Oakley - 20th December 2005 Game 5 - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) - SAT 10TH DECEMBER 2005 NORTHANTS LIGHTNING 82 - 45 IPSWICH BOBCATS Bobcats Struck Down by Lightning Ipswich Bobcats suffered their first league defeat of the season when they lost 82-45 in their top of the table clash with Northants Lightning in the Northern section of the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday. Bobcats made a confident start and a three-pointer in the second minute by captain Lauren Lindsay fired Ipswich 5-4 ahead. Free throws by Kerry Moore and Lois Nunn kept Bobcats in front until the sixth minute but Northants stepped up the defensive pressure and capitalised from numerous turnovers to score seven unanswered baskets in a four minute spell to end the quarter with a commanding 23-9 lead. Bobcats made a good comeback at the start of the second quarter with successive three-pointers by the in form Nunn and they cut the Northants lead to 26-18 after denying Lightning a single score for a full five minutes. Northants then stepped up their game with a three-pointer by Naomi Sterling before baskets by Hannah Scott-Evans and Angeline Field stretched the lead to 33-18. Danielle Ward was clearly relishing playing for high flying Lightning after her move from Chiltern Pumas in the summer and she hit two big three-pointers to take Northants to a 41-23 lead at the interval. Natalie Field was clearly still suffering from the thumb injury that she picked up in the cup game against Southend the previous weekend and sat out most of the second half, enabling Lightning centre Angeline Field to dominate inside to pick up 15 rebounds and 16 points to end as Northants’ top scorer. Her basket at the start of the third quarter was quickly followed by yet another three-pointer by Ward and a strong inside move by Cali, which took the home side 52-25 in front. Angeline Field then piled on the pressure with three baskets in as many minutes and although Nunn hit a good corner shot and Lindsay scored two from the line, Bobcats still trailed 32-60 going into the final quarter. It was all Lightning again at the restart as Northants added seven more points without reply, but Nunn again stepped up her game to score a lay-up, an corner shot and her third three-pointer from only four attempts to finish with a game high 24 points. Indeed, Bobcats were heavily reliant on Nunn and Lindsay who contributed all but three of the Ipswich points total in the 82-45 defeat in what had been a disappointing team performance after three successive away victories earlier in the season. Bobcats have the chance to return to winning ways when return to league action on Sunday when they face Tyne & Wear Titans. The match will be the Bobcats’ first home league match and takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre with a tip off time of 1.30 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:L Nunn 24, L Lindsay 18, Kerry Moore 3, F Baisden 0, V Brownsell 0, N Field 0,Kirstie Moore 0, R Chambers 0 Northants Lightning players and scores:A Field 16, M Cali 15, D Ward 14, N Sterling 13, C Sterling 7, H Scott Evans 6,G Patrick 5, H Burgoine 2, E Clarke 2, J Elliott-King 2, H Baker 0 Ray Oakley - 13th December 2005 GAME 4 MATCH REPORT - SURESHOT NATIONAL CUP – ROUND 1 - SUNDAY, 4TH DECEMBER 2005 IPSWICH BOBCATS 82 - 97 SOUTHEND SWIFTS Ipswich Bobcats staged a final quarter comeback but could not prevent an early cup exit when they lost 82-97 to Southend Swifts in the Sureshot National Cup at Maidenhall on Sunday. Bobcats made a confident start and tight defence prevented Swifts from scoring for over three minutes by which time baskets by Kerry Moore, Lois Nunn and Lauren Lindsay had opened up a 12-0 lead. Southend coach Stephen Pearl called a time out and Swifts made a rapid response with baskets by Abi Dempsey and Jodie Kidd, and when Dempsey hit a three-pointer in the seventh minute the Ipswich lead had been cut to 15-13. Victoria Brownsell came off the bench to hit an important three-pointer and baskets by Natalie Field and Laura Brocklebank helped Bobcats maintain control and take a 25-23 lead into the second quarter. Southend took the lead three minutes later when Rebecca Rambin scored from an impressive inside move and although a good outside shot by Kirstie Moore put Ipswich 30-29 ahead, a run of 15 unanswered points in a decisive two minute spell gave Swifts a 44-30 advantage and forced coach Fay Greaves to call a time out. Layla Weal was introduced and she cleverly stepped around her opponent to score from the top of the key before Lois Nunn struck back with two good outside baskets but Swifts continued to dominate, emphatically winning the quarter 32-12 to take a 55-37 lead at the interval. Bobcats’ plight worsened when it was realised that influential centre Natalie Field had been playing much of the first half with a badly sprained thumb and although she received treatment during half time, she was only able to make a brief reappearance in the third quarter before sitting out the rest of the match. Southend continued to dominate and Jacqueline Jobey scored two lay-ups before Rebecca Brough hit a three-pointer to take Swifts 71-51 ahead. Bobcats recovered with a pair of successful free throws by Nunn after coach Pearl received a technical foul, they still trailed by 20 points going into the final quarter. Three baskets in quick succession by Nunn reduced the deficit to 65-81 with just over six minutes to play and the sizeable home crowd were inspired by an eight point streak as the Ipswich fast break sparked into life. A pair of free throws by Kerry Moore and baskets by Nunn and Lindsay cut the Southend lead to just 83-73 to set up an exciting finale. Rambin then scored inside the key to maintain Southend’s advantage, but a three-pointer by Nunn secured a 24 point tally for the Ipswich guard and brought Bobcats back to within seven points at 78-85. Coach Pearl reintroduced Dempsey who continued to give an assured performance despite bring on four fouls and her pair of three-pointers in the closing stages brought the Swifts guard a game high 35 points and at last put the match beyond doubt. A final basket by Kerry Moore ensured she led the Bobcats scoring with 26 points, but Southend ran out deserved 97-82 winners in an exciting and high scoring match. Bobcats return to league action on Saturday with a top of the table clash against Northants Lightning. Both teams go into the match with unbeaten records in the Northern Conference of the RAF Junior Women’s National League. The match takes place at Northampton School for Boys and tips off at 6.30 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 26, L Nunn 24, L Lindsay 16, V Brownsell 3, F Baisden 2, L Brocklebank 2,N Field 2, Kirstie Moore 2, L Weal 2, R Chambers 0, R Wowk 0 Southend Swifts players and scores:A Dempsey 35, R Rambin 19, J Barclay 13, J Jobey 10, E Hart 6, R Brough 5,R Armstrong 4, L Kidd 4, T McCartney 1, K Doubleday 0, J Rodgers 0 Sureshot Under 18 National Cup Round One Results
107 Northants Lightning v
Reading Rockets 24
89 Haringey Angels v Chiltern Pumas 34 Ray Oakley 8th December 2005 MATCH REPORT - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (NORTH) Game 3 - SATURDAY, 19TH NOVEMBER 2005 - CHILTERN PUMAS 33 - 79 IPSWICH BOBCATS 'Bobcats Continue Unbeaten Run' Ipswich Bobcats maintained their 100% winning record with a comfortable 79-33 victory over Chiltern Pumas in the Northern section of the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday. Bobcats started strongly with a lay up by Kerry Moore from the tip off before a pair of free throws by Lois Nunn and a strong drive to the basket by Lauren Lindsay opened up a 6-0 lead. Abi Upfield opened the Chiltern scoring but her second basket in the third minute was to be the Pumas’ only success for a full six minutes. Victoria Brownsell came off the Ipswich bench to hit a big three pointer and Bobcats’ strong running game took them 16-4 ahead. Heidi Jenner and Carly Benton both scored in the final minute of the first quarter to keep Chiltern in the game and Helen Bloomfield was on hand to further reduce the deficit at the restart. Nunn and Kerry Moore then started to score consistently from the free throw line and Frankie Baisden made an immediate impact when she came into the game for the first time, scoring two good inside baskets in quick succession. Bobcats had a scare midway through the quarter when Kerry Moore came off court with an ankle injury, but thankfully it was on a minor sprain and not a recurrence of the problems that kept her out for a couple of months last season. Nunn’s drives through the Chiltern defence were proving unstoppable and the Ipswich guard scored 10 of her 22 point tally during an impressive second quarter display. A three-point play by Lindsay gave Bobcats a commanding 32-12 lead but Pumas refused to give in and an outside shot by the influential Upfield was quickly followed by a three-pointer by Eugie Proestos. Bobcats remained in complete control with the score at 40-19 at the interval and coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere were able to give plenty of court time to their bench players. Roxie Chambers impressed with her hustling defence and five defensive rebounds and baskets by Nunn, Lindsay, and Natalie Field eased Ipswich 53-19 ahead. Nunn and Kerry Moore continued to dominate on the break and Bobcats had the match wrapped up when they took a 53-26 lead into the final quarter. Kerry Moore and Nunn continued to pile on the baskets and their athleticism brought them impressive tallies of 24 and 22 points respectively before Nunn fouled out with just over a minute left to play. Frankie Baisden completed the Ipswich scoring with her fourth basket to secure a best ever tally of 8 points and she remarkably out-rebounded all her team mates and opponents with a game high 10 rebounds Bobcats now take a break from league action and face old rivals Southend Swifts in the first round of the Sure Shot Junior Women’s National Cup on Sunday, 4th December. The match will be the Bobcats’ first home fixture of the season and takes place at Maidenhall Sports Centre with a tip off time of 1.30 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 24, L Nunn 22, L Lindsay 14, F Baisden 8, N Field 8, V Brownsell 3, Kirstie Moore 0, R Chambers 0 Chiltern players and scores:A Upfield 9, C Benton 6, E Harris 5, E Proestos 5, H Bloomfield 4, H Jenner 4, K Bagley 0, J Dorney-Kingdom 0, M Duffy 0, R Jenner 0 Ray Oakley 22nd November 2005 Game 2 - Nov 5 2005 - WEST HERTS WARRIORS 34 - 68 IPSWICH BOBCATS - Bobcats Score Emphatic Win
Ipswich Bobcats continued their strong start to the new season with a
comfortable 68-34 victory over West Herts Warriors when the sides met in the
Northern section of the Junior Women's National League at Hemel Hempstead on
Saturday.
Bobcats coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere fielded a full strength team
for the encounter but Ipswich initially struggled to make an impression against
the Warriors solid zone defence. Bobcats scored only three baskets in the
opening six minutes but Warriors did not pose a major scoring threat and baskets
by Layla Weal and Natalie Field steered Ipswich to a slender 12-9 lead at the
end of a low scoring first quarter. Ipswich again failed to find their form in the second quarter and although Lois Nunn, Kerry Moore and Kirstie Moore all hit good outside shots there was no real rhythm to the Bobcats game and three baskets by Stanzal kept Warriors in contention.
Ipswich held only a 25-19 lead at the interval but made a better start when
Kerry Moore scored off a strong drive to the basket despite picking up a fourth
foul trying to defend against the lively Woodhouse.
Lauren Lindsay then stood firm to force a charging foul from Woodhouse and
Natalie Field's inside game clicked into gear as she made two quick baskets.
Victoria Brownsell came off the bench to score a three-pointer as Bobcats began
to break free from the Warriors tight defence to take a commanding 37-23 lead.
Warriors fought back with successive three-pointers by Stenzal and Woodhouse but
inside baskets by Field and Kirstie Moore and a second three-pointer by
Brownsell saw Bobcats take a 45-33 lead into the final period.
Ipswich saved the best of their performance for the final quarter when captain
Lauren Lindsay inspired her team into action with three baskets in the first two
minutes as she profited from mid court steals against the Warriors guards.
Kerry Moore and Field both added points from the free throw line and strong
Ipswich defence forced Warriors into desperate shooting and their only success
was a point from the line by Stanzal. Bobcats piled on the points with late
scores by Frankie Baisden and Laura Brocklebank to win the final quarter 23-1 on
their way to a comfortable 68-34 victory. Lindsay capped a fine performance with a game high 15 point tally, taking 10 rebounds, 9 steals and 7 assists.
Bobcats return to action on Saturday, 19th November with another Junior Women's
National League fixture, this time away to Chiltern Pumas. The match takes
place at Dr Challoners High School for Girls in Little Chalfont and tips off at
2.30 p.m. Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: L Lindsay 15, N Field 11, L Nunn 11, Kerry Moore 9, Kirstie Moore 9, V Brownsell 6, L Weal 4, F Baisden 2, L Brocklebank 1, R Chambers 0, R Wowk 0 West Herts Warriors players and scores: J Stenzal 23, E Woodhouse 9, K McGibbon 6, E Byrne 2, R Calder 2, K Osbourne 2, R Fearns 1, M Bevis 0, S Cato 0, J Graceson 0, E Videtta 0
Ray Oakley reporting 6 Nov 2005 GAME ONE - SATURDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 2005 - SEFTON 44 - 81 IPSWICH BOBCATS Bobcats Off To Flying Start Ipswich Bobcats got the new season off to a flying start when their long journey to Liverpool was rewarded by an emphatic 81-44 victory over Sefton in the Northern section of the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday. Bobcats coaches Fay Greaves and Christel Macaudiere retained all but one of the squad that achieved an impressive 8th place last season, and on this performance can be justifiably optimistic of even better things this season. Ipswich dominated from the outset, with Lauren Lindsay scoring a lay up straight from the jump ball before baskets by Kerry Moore, Natalie Field and Kirstie Moore helped Bobcats take an 11-3 lead midway through the first quarter. Sefton responded to a much needed time out with baskets by captain Hannah Conran and Emma Guita, but two more baskets by Lindsay saw Bobcats take a 19-10 lead into the second quarter. Ipswich maintained the pressure and Natalie Field made a total of five blocked shots at one end of the court while hitting four successive outside shots as Bobcats raced 38-18 ahead. Rosie Wowk came off the bench to score a basket on her Junior league debut and although Bobcats failed to core in the three minutes leading up to the interval they were still good value for their 40-25 half time lead. The Ipswich fast break clicked into gear in the third quarter, with Kerry Moore continually getting on the end of inch perfect long range passes from Lauren Lindsay, who made no less than 11 assists in the game. Sefton were powerless against Bobcats’ pace and Ipswich stormed to a 53-29 lead midway through the quarter. Victoria Brownsell returned to the side after a year out through injury, and immediately found her form with a long range shot and a three-pointer as Bobcats cruised to a 63-33 lead going into the final quarter. Kerry Moore continued to dominate on the break as inexperienced Sefton tired. Her game high tally of 32 points and Natalie Field’s contribution of 19 points were both personal bests for the juniors. Layla Weal scored a second free throw to cap a fine defensive display in which she fought like a tigress for every loose ball and earned no less than 7 steals, and Louise Brocklebank hit a final basket as Bobcats ran out comfortable 81-44 victors. Bobcats were due to return to Junior league action on with a home game to Birmingham Force, but this has now been postponed to Saturday, 7th January 2006. Bobcats next fixture is therefore the away trip to West Herts Warriors on Saturday, 5th November. Ipswich Bobcats players and scorers:Kerry Moore 32, N Field 19, L Lindsay 17, V Brownsell 5, L Brocklebank 2, Kirstie Moore 2, L Weal 2, R Wowk 2, F Baisden 0, R Chambers 0 Sefton players and scorers:L Walsh 12, H Conran 8, J Nowell 8, M Harris 6, E Guita 4, A Osbourne 4, R Coker 2, K Dunne 0, L Haseldina 0, R Jones 0, H Perry 0, Ray Oakley 18th October 2005 Tomcats Edge Bobcats in Pre-Season Friendly Ipswich Basketball Club’s U16 Tomcats hosted the Club’s U18 Women in a pre-season friendly aimed at preparing both teams for the gruelling National League season expected ahead of them. The newly formed U16 Tomcats raced out of the blocks with Jacob Swift and team captain Luke Andrews picking up early scores, but the Bobcats kept scores close through the excellent play of England International Lauren Lindsey. The first quarter was close but in the second, the sheer physical size, strength and athletic ability of the boy’s team began to take its toll as Jacob Swift in particular took advantage and connected on twenty two points in the first half, including a spectacular ‘dunk’. The second half again saw Lauren Lindsey take the lead for the Bobcats with great support from Vicky Brownsell and Louis Nunn. However, it was again the combination of Andrews and Swift that lead to way for the Tomcats who extended their lead. Great defence from Aaron Mosley, Adam Bell, James Fairs and Bruce Crowley proved that the Tomcats had a deep bench. In the fourth quarter Jacob Swift continued his great all round performance finishing with 35 points before he left the game and it was left to second year players Sam Calver and Adam Burrows to seal the win with a series of three-pointers. Both teams played hard. The Bobcats were without England star Natalie Field and the Tomcats were minus three of their usual starters Luke Fry, Christian Daley and Aaron Caldwell. Final Score: Ipswich Tomcats U16’s 92 Ipswich Bobcats U18’s 45 |