WANDSWORTH STING 73 - 62  IPSWICH BOBCATS

Ipswich Bobcats gave an encouraging performance in their attempt to secure a first league win of the season but a fourth quarter comeback was not enough to prevent a 73-62 at the hands of Wandsworth Sting when the sides met RAF Junior Women’s National League in Battersea on Saturday.

Ipswich initially struggled to cope with the pace of Sting’s offence and a free throw by Kerry Moore was Bobcats only score in the first four minutes, but good defence restricted Wandsworth to a 4-1 lead.

Natasha Hall displayed her strength inside the key to hit successive baskets and bring Bobcats back to 7-5 and although Haija Lwazi scored a lay up for Sting on the fast break, a three-point play by Rosie Wowk saw Bobcats recover to trail 9-8 midway through the first quarter.

Sting responded with successive baskets Monique Reid, Haija Lwazi and Josephine Maignanu but two more inside baskets by Hall kept Bobcats in contention at 15-12 with two minutes of the quarter to play.  Bobcats then lost their way and conceded four fast break baskets to single score by Kerry Moore to trail 23-15 as the match went into the second quarter.

Kerry Moore scored immediately from the restart and Hall scored from a fine assist by Poppy Fisk to halve the deficit and Hall continued to dominate, scoring twice in quick succession to bring Bobcats back to 24-23.

Wandsworth responded with pressing tactics and their close marking resulted in numerous turnovers, allowing Sting to score twelve unanswered points before Kerry Moore closed the half with a basket from an assist by Roxanne Chambers.

Now trailing 38-25, Bobcats hopes of a first league win of the season appeared to have been dashed when Maignanu scored two from the line after being fouled by Hall but Kirstie Moore and Hall’s inside game was both proving too strong for a Sting line up dominated by guards and both scored to reduce the deficit to just 11 points.

Bobcats plight worsened when guard Layla Weal fouled out and Wandsworth again stepped up the pressure, which saw Fatamah Lwazi combine with Maignanu to pile on another twelve points to take Sting to a seemingly unassailable 50-29 lead.

Hall ended Bobcats barren spell and baskets by Laura Brocklebank and points from the line by Chambers and Kerry Moore kept Ipswich in the game before a three-pointer on the buzzer by Rosie Wowk gave Bobcats just the lift they needed as they went into final quarter trailing 57-38.

A basket by Kerry Moore gave Bobcats renewed hope but successive baskets by Haija Lwazi, Gabrielle Boateng and Huita Ofa seemed to have killed the game off with Sting holding a commanding 63-40 lead.

Baskets by Brocklebank and Kerry Moore sparked yet another Bobcats revival and captain Kerry Moore sealed a fine performance by providing assists for successive baskets Hall, Brocklebank and Kirstie Moore as Bobcats fought back to 70-56 with two minutes to play.

Bobcats applied a press and continued to dominate the boards and an incisive pass from Brocklebank found Hall in open space to score and cut the deficit to twelve points.  Kerry Moore then scored from an assist by Fisk and Hall scored yet another basket to cut the deficit to just eight points going into the final minute.

That was as close as Bobcats were to come and Fatamah Lwazi sealed a hard fought 73-62 Wandsworth victory with a three-pointer on the buzzer.

Natasha Hall ended with a game high tally of 26 points, 16 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in her last game with Bobcats before moving to New Zealand. Her athleticism and inside strength will be missed in Bobcats’ six remaining games this season.

Bobcats now have a three week break before they resume their RAF Junior Women’s National League campaign with a tough encounter away to high flying Sevenoaks Suns on Sunday 4^th March.

 Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: N Hall 26, Kerry Moore 16, L Brocklebank 10, Kirstie Moore 6, R Wowk 6, R Chambers 1, P Fisk 0, L Weal 0

Wandsworth Sting players and scores: F Lwazi 25, H Lwazi 16, J Maignanu 11, G Boateng 4, J Fagan 6, Y Oyefuwa 5, H Ofa 4, M Reid 4, K Daniel 0, E Natanba 0, L Young 0

 RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (South) Results

 73 Wandsworth Sting v Ipswich Bobcats 62           59 Southend Swifts v Sevenoaks Suns 90

Ray Oakley - 14^th February 2007

Game 9 -  RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (SOUTH) -SATURDAY, 27^TH January 2007

 HARINGEY ANGELS 100 - 19 IPSWICH BOBCATS

Ipswich Bobcats were completely outgunned when they faced Haringey Angels and suffered a heavy 100-19 defeat to the unbeaten league leaders in the RAF Junior Women’s National League in Hornsey on Saturday.

Bobcats started well with Natasha Hall using her height advantage to win the jump ball and score a lay up in the opening minute.  Angels responded with quick baskets by Tamique Weekes, Mary Durojaye and Kashmir Joseph to go 10-2 ahead but Hall found Kirstie Moore in open space and the Ipswich forward scored two baskets and a free throw to keep Bobcats in the game at 15-8 lead midway through the first quarter.

A three-pointer by Josephine Salmon sparked a run of 14 unanswered points in a five minute spell which saw Haringey take a 29-8 lead into the second quarter and Mrashi Karumba and Renee Johnson-Allen extended the score to 37-8 before Layla Weal scored to end Bobcats’ barren spell.

That was to prove brief respite as Angels continued to press, forcing numerous turnovers to extend the lead to 52-10 before Hall scored the last basket of the quarter from a telling pass by Roxanne Chambers that finally penetrated the Haringey defence.

Ipswich coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves half time team talk helped refocus Bobcats and they made a good start to the third quarter with baskets by Rosie Wowk and Natasha Hall but Weekes and Karumba continued to dominate and a further basket by Hall was Bobcats’ only score as Angels cruised to a 71-18 lead as the match went into the final quarter.

Bobcats retained their composure and continued to try to execute the offence but were dominated by Angels pressing defence.  Haringey piled on 29 unanswered points to before Hall secured a 9 point personal tally with a few seconds remaining and Angels ran out convincing winners with a 100-19 score line in which no less than five players scored double figure with the impressive Mrashi Karumba scoring a game high 23 points, 14 rebounds and 11 steals.

Bobcats now have a three week break before they resume their quest for a first win in their RAF Junior Women’s National League campaign with a visit to Wandsworth Sting on Saturday 17^th February.

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: N Hall 9, Kirstie Moore 5, L Weal 2, R Wowk 2, Kerry Moore 1, R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0 

Haringey Angels players and scores: M Karumba 23, K Joseph 20, T Weeks 16, M Durojaye 13, J Salmon 13, R Johnson-Allen 6, M Seale 4, C St Marthe 3, B Diyaolu 2

RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (South) Results
52 Essex & Herts Leopards v Brixton Topcats 48            100 Haringey Angels v Ipswich Bobcats 19
27 Chiltern Pumas v Wandsworth Sting 62                       110 Sevenoaks Suns v Brixton Topcats 41

Reporting - Ray Oakley - 31^st January 2007

Game 8 -  RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (SOUTH) -SATURDAY, 20^TH January 2007

  Ipswich Bobcats 46 - 65   Essex & Herts Leopards

Ipswich Bobcats gave a good performance but could not prevent a 46-65 defeat to Essex and Herts Leopards when the sides met in the RAF Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday afternoon.

Ella Clark scored a three-pointer to open the scoring but Bobcats played with renewed determination after last week’s disappointing performance in their defeat to Brixton Lady Topcats.

Leopards were having difficulty defending Kerry Moore on her drives to the baskets and the Bobcats’ captain hit four successive points from the free throw line and a lay up to keep her side in contention at 6-7 midway through the first quarter.

Leopards then stepped up their game and a run of baskets by Clark and captain Katie Harris saw the visitors score 15 unanswered points to take a commanding 22-6 lead into the second quarter.

Bobcats ended their barren spell with baskets by Kerry Moore, Kirstie Moore and Laura Brocklebank to pull the deficit back to 12-26 but baskets by Ziana Bofenda and a three-point play by Success Uzoukwu kept Leopards comfortably ahead at 31-12.

Brocklebank hit her second outside shot and Kerry Moore scored another basket but this was not enough to prevent Leopards holding a comfortable 36-17 lead at the interval.

Bobcats retained their composure and played their best basketball of the match in the third quarter.  Natasha Hall combined well with Brocklebank and their well worked inside play saw Bobcats recover to 32-47 and force Leopards coach Ken Harris to call a time out.

Leopards responded with baskets by Bofenda and Harris, but Hall scored her fourth basket of the quarter to keep Bobcats in touch with the score at 36-53 as the match went into the final quarter.

A basket by Moore again reduced the deficit to fifteen points, but Leopards put the result beyond doubt with a pair of baskets each by Kimberley Pringle and Katie Harris, then Uzoukwu completed Leopards’ run of ten unanswered points with a well worked basket to leave Bobcats trailing 38-63 with five minutes remaining.

To their credit, Bobcats refused to give in and fought back well during the closing stages.   Kerry Moore completed a three-point play after drawing a foul from Clark and Rosie Wowk scored an inside basket from a fine assist by Chloe Baker.

Uzoukwu then secured Leopards’ first score for a full five minutes and Kerry Moore capped a fine performance with a final basket to secure a game high 26 point tally.

 Bobcats coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves can be pleased with their team’s improved performance, and the eventual 46-65 score line could have been a lot closer had Ipswich made better use of some open scoring opportunities and committed less turnovers.

Bobcats face their toughest challenge of the season on Saturday, when they travel to London to face unbeaten league leaders Haringey Angels in their next RAF Junior Women’s National League encounter.  The match takes place at the Greig City Academy in Hornsey and tips off at 3.00 p.m.

 Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: Kerry Moore 26, N Hall 10, L Brocklebank 6, Kirstie Moore 2, R Wowk 2, C Baker 0, R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0, L Weal 0 

Essex and Herts Leopards players and scores: E Clark 17, K Harris 17, S Uzoukwu 15, E French 6, Z Bofenda 4, K Pringle 4, M Uyinnwen 2, J Colley 0, E Joines 0

 Ray Oakley - 21^st January 2007

Game 7  - RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (SOUTH) - SATURDAY, 13^TH JANUARY 2007

Ipswich Bobcats 34 - 40 Brixton Lady Topcats

Ipswich Bobcats remained without a league win this season when they disappointingly lost 34-40 to Brixton Lady Topcats in a bottom of the table encounter in the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall on Saturday.

Bobcats made a good start when Kerry Moore scored a lay up direct from the tip off and the Ipswich captain converted two free throws before Natasha Hall scored an inside basket from an assist by Layla Weal.

Bobcats looked comfortable with their early 6-0 lead, but a basket and a free throw by Pierre quickly cut the deficit in what was to prove a low scoring match dominated by both defences.

Kirstie Moore scored from a confident outside shot and Kerry Moore extended the Ipswich lead to 11-5 with a basket off an assist by Roxy Chambers before Hall was again on hand to score inside the key.

Bobcats looked comfortable at 13-5 but a lay up by Akra and two late baskets by James saw the visitors cut the lead to 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.

A free throw and a basket from Akra was enough to tie the scores at 14-14 three minutes into the second quarter but a basket by Hall and two lay ups by Kerry Moore gave Bobcats a 20-15 lead.

Brixton fought back with free throws from Akra and a basket by White to tie the scores at 20-20 at the interval and they made a determined start in what was to prove a decisive third quarter.  Baskets by Pierre and Akra took the visitors 26-20 ahead before Poppy Fisk came off the Ipswich bench and hit successive outside shots to cut the deficit to 24-26.

A pair of free throws by James and a basket by White restored a six point advantage for Brixton, which saw them take a 32-26 lead into the final quarter and White was again on hand to score as Brixton stretched their lead to eight points.

Bobcats recovered with baskets by Kerry Moore and Poppy Fisk to cut the deficit to 30-34 with seven minutes remaining.  The tension was high, with both teams trying to secure their first league win of the season, and the defensive intensity saw both Layla Weal and Natasha Hall foul out in the final quarter.  Neither side added to their score for a full six minutes but James broke the deadlock with a crucial basket for Lady Topcats with less than two minutes remaining.

Bobcats responded immediately with a basket by Chambers but a lay up by Akra and a basket by Pierre took Brixton out of reach at 40-32 and a late basket by Kerry Moore was not enough to prevent Lady Topcats securing a hard fought 40-34 victory.

Bobcats face another tough challenge when they take on Essex & Herts Leopards in the next RAF Junior Women’s National League match on Saturday.  The game takes place at Maidenhall and tips off at 4.15 p.m.

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 18, P Fisk 6, N Hall 6, R Chambers 2, Kirstie Moore 2, C Baker 0, L Brocklebank 0, L Weal 0, R Wowk 0

 Brixton Lady Topcats players and scores:V Akra 12, R James 10, R Pierre 9, K White 9, I Bilson Graham 0, J Blackwood 0,J Martin 0, R Timpong 0 

RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (South) Results
 65 Haringey Angels   v Sevenoaks Suns             62         34 Ipswich Bobcats v Brixton Lady Topcats 40
75 Southend Swifts    v Essex & Herts Leopards 68          59 Southend Swifts v Haringey Angels 76

Ray Oakley - 15^th January 2007

Game 6 - Sureshot National Cup Quarter Finals  SATURDAY, 16^TH DECEMBER 2006

  IPSWICH BOBCATS 71 - 98 NORTHANTS LIGHTNING

 Ipswich Bobcats gave an inspired performance but could not prevent a 71-98 defeat to Northants Lightning in a high scoring and exciting quarter final of the Sureshot Junior Women’s National Cup when the sides met at Westbourne High on Saturday.

Bobcats made a determined start when an incisive pass from Roxanne Chambers found Natasha Hall in open space to score the opening basket and Kerry Moore made a three-point play after being fouled by Erin Clarke on her way to the hoop.

Laura Brocklebank scored inside the key to give Bobcats an early 7-1 lead, but Lightning struck back with baskets by Clarke and Natasha Wesley to level the scores midway through the quarter.

Bobcats captain Kerry Moore found herself in foul trouble after being called three times in the opening minutes, but Kirstie Moore and Roxanne Chambers proved to be reliable from the free throw line as both side quickly accumulated fouls in a hotly contested match.

Rosie Wowk came off the bench and scored a basket off a well worked offence, but the Lightning fast break saw the visitors score four lay ups in quick succession as they pulled away to lead 30-19 at the end of the first quarter.

Hall and Brocklebank both scored off strong inside moves but three baskets in quick succession by Hannah Scott-Evans stretched the Northants lead to 37-24 and force Bobcats coached Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves to call a time out.

Hall scored again as the her powerful inside partnership with Brocklebank continued to exploit the height advantage of the Ipswich forwards, but a lay up by Wesley and two quick baskets from Heidi Jenner extended Lightning’s lead to 43-26.

Kerry Moore added six points from the line and although Chloe Moss scored three times in as many minutes for Lightning, the Bobcats locker room remained positive at the interval with Ipswich still in contention at 40-56.

Bobcats played their best basketball of the match in the third quarter with Natasha Hall scoring 14 of her game high 29 point tally in this period.  She combined well with Laura Brocklebank and Kirstie Moore as the trio of forwards totally dominated Lightning’s defence to reduce the deficit to just nine points at 63-72 as the match went into the final quarter.

The high foul count started to take its toll, and after Kerry Moore had fouled out in the third quarter, she was followed by Kirstie Moore and Natasha Hall early in the fourth, giving Lightning sufficient edge to add 10 points without reply and extend their lead to 82-63.

Poppy Fisk and Layla Weal both stepped up to take on the shooting guard role and Fisk’s basket in the fifth minute kept alive Bobcats’ hopes of a cup upset against last season’s finalists.  However, Chloe Moss and Amy Connor found more space with Hall out of the game and although Brocklebank capped a fine performance with a basket and pair of free throws to score 16 points, Northants extended their lead during the closing stages to run out 98-71 victors.

Bobcats now have a three week break over the Christmas period and return to National League action on Saturday, 13^th January when they face Brixton Lady Topcats at Maidenhall.  The match tips off at 4.15 p.m.

  Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: N Hall 29, L Brocklebank 16, Kerry Moore 11, P Fisk 6, Kirstie Moore 4, L Weal 2, R Wowk 2, R Chambers 1, C Baker 0

 Northants Lightning players and scores: C Moss 19, N Wesley 19, E Clarke 15, H Scott-Evans 14, A Connor 11, L Jeffrey 7, H Moss 6, H Burgoine 5, H Jenner 2, G Patrick 0

  Sureshot Junior Women’s National Cup Quarter Final Results

44 Birmingham Force v Manchester Mystics 83                    71 Ipswich Bobcats v Northants Lightning 98
64 Southend Swifts v Essex & Herts Leopards 62               77 Sevenoaks Suns v Haringey Angels 59

Ray Oakley - 20^th December 2006

Game 5 - SATURDAY, 2^ND DECEMBER 2006 -  85 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 85 - 33 IPSWICH BOBCATS

Ipswich Bobcats slumped to a disappointing 85-33 defeat to Southend Swifts the sides met in the Junior Women’s National League on Saturday.

Bobcats looked fairly competitive in the first quarter despite slipping to an 8-0 deficit as early as the second minute.  Kerry Moore put Bobcats’ first points on the board before Laura Brocklebank followed up with an inside basket and although Jane Barclay and Lauren Kidd added two baskets in quick succession, Bobcats rallied to trail 12-7 when Natasha Hall scored off an assist by Brocklebank.

Brocklebank and Hall combined well and continued to provide a dual inside threat as both scored again to keep the Southend lead to 18-11 as the match went into the second quarter.

Two baskets by Kerry Moore at the restart cut the deficit but successive lay ups by Kate Doubleday and baskets by Barclay and Dempsey extended Swifts’ lead to 31-15.  Bobcats coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves call a time out after which Kerry Moore and Roxanne Chambers were both successful from the free throw line, and a basket by Hall kept Bobcats in contention at half time when they trailed 33-19.

Southend stepped up their game in the third quarter and although Kerry Moore scored twice for Ipswich, successive lay ups by Abi Dempsey, Megan Roffey and Emma Hart saw Swifts pull away to lead 47-23 before Kirstie Moore added a basket in the eighth minute. 

Roffey and McCarthy both added further baskets and the contest was effectively over when Southend took a commanding 55-29 lead into the final period.

As had happened in the match against Sevenoaks a week earlier, Bobcats capitulated in the fourth quarter and although Southend coach Stephen Pearl gave his Under 16 players an extended run out at the restart, they still outscored Bobcats 13-4.  When the starting five were returned to action they piled on a further 17 points without reply to see Southend take the quarter 30-4 to seal an emphatic 85-33 victory in which Abi Dempsey secured a game high tally of 21 points.

Bobcats now have a break from league action until the New Year, but turn their attention to the Sureshot National Cup when they face Northants Lighting in the quarter finals.  The match takes place at Westbourne High School on Saturday, 16^th December and tips off at 3.30 p.m.

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:  Kerry Moore 14, N Hall 8, L Brocklebank 6, Kirstie Moore 4, R Chambers 1, G Blake 0, P Fisk 0, L Nunn 0, L Weal 0, R Wowk 0

 Southend Swifts players and scores: A Dempsey 21, T McCarthy 11, J Barclay 10, E Hart 9, L Kidd 9, K Doubleday 8, J Rodgers 8, M Roffey 4, R Brough 3, H Culwick 2, F Whitby 0, C Wilding 0

Game 4 - - SATURDAY, 25^TH NOVEMBER 2006 -  IPSWICH BOBCATS 39 - 94 SEVENOAKS SUNS

  Ipswich Bobcats put up a valiant first quarter display but could not prevent a 39-94 defeat to high flying Sevenoaks Suns when the sides met in the Junior Women’s National League at Westbourne High on Saturday.

Suns struck twice in the opening minute with successive baskets by Nicky Avery, but Bobcats struck back against the unbeaten league leaders with a pair of baskets from captain Kerry Moore and a strong inside move by Laura Brocklebank.

Kristen Busch scored for the visitors but a three-pointer by Lois Nunn fired Ipswich 9-6 ahead.  Suns responded with a three-pointer by Cristal Turner but a basket by Natasha Hall kept Bobcats in front at 11-9 midway through the quarter.

Sevenoaks stepped up their game and two points from the line by Turner were quickly followed by baskets from Lara Whitaker and Avery as Suns raced to a 19-11 lead, but Bobcats were undeterred and continued to play their best basketball of the season.

Brocklebank scored another two inside baskets and Nunn scored a lay up before Kerry Moore scored a free throw secure an 20-19 lead and only a basket by Whitaker prevented Ipswich taking an advantage into the second quarter.

Sevenoaks totally dominated from the restart and all the good work that Bobcats had achieved in the first quarter was lost as Suns piled on nineteen unanswered points before Kerry Moore scored the first Ipswich points of the quarter.  Even that proved brief respite as Avery and Turner scored three more baskets in quick succession and Busch and Whitaker both hit three-pointers to give Sevenoaks a commanding 52-22 half time lead.

Turner made a third successive three-pointer at the restart and followed up with an inside basket on her way to a personal tally of 30 points.  Nunn and Hall struck back with a basket apiece, but Suns continued to dominate in spite of coach Len Busch only having five players available for the match.

Turner continued to impress, making a three-point play after being fouled by Kirtsie Moore, and Busch hit her second three-pointer of the match to extend the Suns lead to 67-27.  Busch then hit Suns’ sixth three-pointer of the game and although Kerry Moore and Nunn were both successful from the line, Sevenoaks continued to dominate and took a 76-34 lead into the final quarter.

A second three-pointer by Nunn and a basket by Kerry Moore in the first minute of the final period were to be Bobcats’ only successes in the final period, as Suns five players proved their fitness and remained capable of running effective fast breaks to end.  The visitors piled on another eighteen points in the closing stages to run out 94-39 victors, and four successive baskets in just three minutes secured a game high tally of 33 points for Nicky Avery.

 Bobcats face another tough challenge in their first away match of the season on Saturday, when they make the short journey to Southend Swifts for another Junior Women’s National League encounter. The match takes place at Greensward College and tips off at 1.00 p.m. 

Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:Kerry Moore 16, L Nunn 13, L Brocklebank 6, N Hall 4, C Baker 0, G Blake R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0, Kirstie Moore 0, L Weal 0, R Wowk 0

 Sevenoaks Suns players and scores: N Avery 33, C Turner 30, K Busch 16, L Whitaker 15, S Morris 0

 RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (South) Results
 68 Essex & Herts Leopards v Wandsworth Sting 35       39 Ipswich Bobcats v Sevenoaks Suns 94       51 Brixton Topcats v Chiltern Pumas 53

   Ray Oakley - 27^th November 2006

25th November 2006, Westbourne Sports College, Ipswich

Ipswich Bobcats 39 - 94 Sevenoaks Suns

Referees:  Mr. G MacLean & Mr. T Fisher

This was the Bobcats first appearance of the season at Westbourne - a double header alongside the Tomcats. Their opponents were the unbeaten Sevenoaks Suns - a tough game in prospect given that Sevenoaks boast many England players.

Depleted by injury the Sevenoaks squad consisted of a mere five players raising hopes that the Bobcats Coach, Fay Greaves, could use the depth of her bench to her advantage.

Sevenoaks were first to the basket with Avery getting the visitors onto the scoresheet. But a fast starting Bobcats played well,  the teams swapping points during the first quarter, with honors almost even at 20 - 21 by the time the buzzer sounded.

The second quarter brought something different. Shaken slightly by the Bobcats starting pace, Coach Busch changed the visitors game plan.  It resulted in a run of 10 points for no return which caused the Bobcats coach to call a time out just over three minutes in. It wasn't going to stop Sevenoaks who by now had found their shooting skills, the Bobcats trailed by 27 with three minutes to go, by the end of the period they had scored 2 to Sevenoaks 31.  At the break the score was 22 - 52

Despite hard work by the Bobcats couldn't hold back the tide of the five fit girls from Kent - none of whom showed any sign of tiring, going on to score twice as many point as the home side in the third quarter, it finished 34 - 76.

Although the crowd had gone quiet, the girls kept their heads up in the final quarter - a relaxed Sevenoaks coach sat confidently, if lonely, on the bench watching his team doing their stuff - the final score 39 - 74

Tony Bell reporting for  

Match Report 3 - SATURDAY, 18^TH NOVEMBER 2006 - SURESHOT JUNIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL CUP ROUND TWO

 IPSWICH BOBCATS 72 - 54 CHILTERN PUMAS

Ipswich Bobcats cruised through to the quarter finals of the Sureshot Junior Women’s National Cup when they secured a 72-54 first round victory over Chiltern Pumas at Maidenhall Sports Centre on Saturday.

Coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves were able to field a full strength and gave promising debuts to Natasha Hall and Chloe Baker.

Bobcats started well and Kerry Moore opened the scoring in the first minute. Pumas struck back with baskets from Emma Harris and Helen Blomfield to take a 4-2 lead but a three-pointer by Lois Nunn sparked a seven point streak for Bobcats in which Layla Weal made a lay up and Nunn scored from a drive through the Chiltern defence.

Kirstie Moore and Laura Brocklebank both scored from strong inside moves and Bobcats had opened up a 20-6 lead by the time Kerry Moore hit her third basket of the quarter in the eighth minute. 

Chiltern coach Geoff Barr called a time out and Pumas fought back to trail 12-20 but Brocklebank was on hand to score the final basket of the quarter and maintain a 10 point advantage for Ipswich.  Brocklebank continued to impress when she scored the opening basket of the second quarter, but Bobcats lost concentration and conceded 12 points in a barren four minute spell to see their lead cut to 24-22.

Natasha Hall came off the Ipswich bench and made a fine debut, quickly scoring the first of four baskets on her way to an impressive 10 point tally.  Kerry Moore continued to exploit Pumas’ turnovers with mid court steals and drives to the hoop as the Ipswich captain added three more baskets to see Bobcats regain control of the match.

Kirstie Moore scored twice before the interval and Brocklebank scored in the closing seconds of the half to give Ipswich a comfortable 41-28 interval lead.

Chiltern’s plight worsened when they were reduced to just five players after Helen Blomfield sustained an injury that saw her sit out the entire second half, but they refused to give in and outscored Bobcats 8-2 to reduce the Ipswich lead to 43-36 midway through the third quarter.

Bobcats responded with baskets by Nunn, Kerry Moore, Hall and Brocklebank but seven points in just two minutes by Eugie Proestus kept Chiltern on contention with the score at 55-44 as the match went into the final quarter.

Hall added two points from the line and Brocklebank secured a 12 point tally with another strong inside move, and Gernice Blake scored twice in quick succession as Bobcats maintained their eleven point lead at 61-50 with five minutes to play.

Pumas refused to give in but their under strength side was clearly starting to tire, allowing Bobcats to pile on eleven unanswered points to put the result beyond doubt.

 Two late consolation baskets by Proestos and Ponnuthurai cut the Ipswich lead to but could not prevent Bobcats progressing to the quarter finals with a comfortable 72-54 victory in which no less than five players hit double figure scores.

Bobcats were rewarded with a home time against Northants Lighting in the quarter finals next month and return to National League action on Saturday when they face high flying Sevenoaks Suns at Westbourne High School.  The match tips off at 1.00 p.m.

 Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: Kerry Moore 18, L Nunn 15, L Brocklebank 12, Kirstie Moore 11, N Hall 10, G Blake 4, L Weal 2, C Baker 0, R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0, R Wowk 0

Chiltern Pumas players and scores:E Proestos 14, E Harris 12, B Ponnuthurai 11, H Blomfield 8, B Portland 5, M Duffy 4

 Sureshot Junior Women’s National Cup Round One Results

 90 Essex & Herts Leopards v Hinckley & Bosworth Lady Hoops 21             72 Ipswich Bobcats v Chiltern Pumas 54
62 Manchester Mystics v Sefton Junior Stars 23                                         66 Northants Lightning v Leicester Beauchamp Cannons 43
39 Brixton Lady Topcats v Haringey Angels 102                                          94 Sevenoaks Suns v Wandsworth Sting 31

 Sureshot Junior Women’s National Cup Quarter Finals (To be played weekend of 16/17 December)

Birmingham Force v Manchester Mystics                   Ipswich Bobcats v Northants Lightning
Southend Swifts v Essex & Herts Leopards              Sevenoaks Suns v Haringey Angels

 Ray Oakley 20^th November 2006

MATCH REPORT - Game 2

 RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (SOUTH) - SATURDAY, 4^TH NOVEMBER 2006

 IPSWICH BOBCATS 53 - 64 WANDSWORTH STING

Ipswich Bobcats suffered a 53-64 defeat at the hands of Wandsworth Sting after succumbing to a second half comeback by the visitors when the sides met in the Junior Women’s National League at Maidenhall Sports Centre on Saturday.

Coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves were without forwards Laura Brocklebank and Rosie Wowk who were both unwell, but Bobcats still made an impressive start and Lois Nunn quickly got on the score sheet with a three point play after bring fouled by Haija Lwazi.

Josephine Maignanu soon made her intentions clear, scoring four times for Sting in the first quarter, but Kerry Moore and Gernice Blake combined well to score some easy baskets and take Bobcats to a 17-8 lead with just over two minutes to play.

Yemi Oyefuwa used her height advantage to score an inside basket for Wandsworth but Nunn then hit a three-pointer and scored a free throw to give Ipswich a commanding 22-10 to take into the second quarter.

Bobcats captain Kerry Moore continued to dominate and added a further nine points as Ipswich raced to a 31-17 lead.  Sting then made the first of their comebacks with six unanswered points from Maignanu and Reid, but Nunn staved off the threat with a point from the line and added a second three-pointer to give Bobcats a 35-25 half time lead.

Kerry Moore scored twice at the restart as Bobcats extended their lead to 14 points, but crucially picked up her third and fourth fouls in quick succession to force coach Christel Macaudiere to rest her influential captain to prevent her fouling out.

Sting capitalised with successive baskets by Fatamah Lwazi and Maignanu and although Kerry Moore hit a mid range basket Sting piled on nine points in just three minutes reduce the Ipswich lead to a single point at 43-42.  Nunn then added a point from the line but Gabrielle Boateng levelled the scores at 44-44 to complete the Wandsworth comeback.

Sting coach Andrea Norton then received a technical foul for dissent after protesting about a foul called on Huita Ofa and with just two seconds of the period remaining Nunn edged Bobcats ahead from the free throw line to see Bobcats take a 45-44 lead into the final quarter.

Sting went ahead for the first time when Ofa scored a basket and although Nunn restored the Ipswich lead seconds later with an outside shot, Maignanu and Lwazi continued to dominate on the fast break as Sting punished numerous Ipswich turnovers to go 55-47 ahead.

 Worse still, Kerry Moore fouled out with five minutes remaining and although Nunn secured a 24 point tally with a three-pointer and Layla Weal scored a mid range shot to help Bobcats recover to 52-55 with three minutes remaining, Sting maintained their composure and extended their lead with late baskets by Josephine Maignanu to take a hard fought 64-53 victory.

Bobcats turn their attention to the Sureshot National Cup and face Chiltern Pumas in a second round match on Saturday, 18^th November.  The match takes place at Maidenhall at tips off at 4.15 p.m.

 Ipswich Bobcats players and scores:L Nunn 24, Kerry Moore 23, G Blake 4, L Weal 2, C Baker 0, R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0, Kirstie Moore 0

 Wandsworth Sting players and scores:J Maignanu 29, F Lwazi 13, G Boateng 7, J Fagan 5, Y Oyefuwa 4, H Lwazi 2, Ofa 2,M Reid 2, A Birtles 0, S Burrage 0, E Natanba 0

 RAF Junior Women’s’ National League (South) Results

 43 Essex & Herts Leopards v Haringey Angels 66               53 Ipswich Bobcats v Wandsworth Sting 64

101 Southend Swifts v Chiltern Pumas 45

 Ray Oakley - 6^th November 2006

 MATCH REPORT - Game 1

RAF JUNIOR WOMEN NATIONAL LEAGUE (SOUTH) -  SATURDAY, 7^TH OCTOBER 2006

IPSWICH BOBCATS 27 - 91 HARINGEY ANGELS

Ipswich Bobcats faced a tough challenge in their opening match of the new Junior Women’s National League season and could not prevent an emphatic 27-91 defeat at the hands of Haringey Angels when the sides met at Maidenhall Sports Centre on Saturday.

Coaches Christel Macaudiere and Fay Greaves could not have had a more difficult start than to face the reigning Junior National League champions and fielded a new look line up that gave Junior National League debuts to Gernice Blake and Poppy Fisk.

Bobcats struggled from the start and the greater experience of the Angels soon became apparent.  Mrashi Karumba, Kashmere Joseph and Mary Durojaye combined to pile on 18 points while the Haringey defence shut out Ipswich for a full eight minutes before captain Kerry Moore and Layla Weal at last put points on the scoreboard from the free throw line. This proved to be a brief respite, with Haringey forward Joseph scoring twice more in the final minute to give Angels an emphatic 22-4 lead.

Bobcats kept their composure and played their best basketball of the match in the second quarter.  Kerry Moore hit two from the line and Lois Nunn found space in the Haringey defence to score two outside shots in as many minutes to help Bobcats restrict Angels to a 10-28 scoreline midway through the period.

Haringey’s fast break clicked back into gear with Renee Johnson-Allen making three assists in quick succession as Karumba and Durojaye continued to dominate the scoring.  Kerry Moore hit back with three points from the free throw line before Rosie Wowk came off the bench to score from a strong inside move.  Nunn was again on hand to score her third basket of the quarter, but Bobcats still trailed 17-41 at the interval.

Haringey stepped up the pace at the restart and an outside shot by Nunn was Bobcats’ only success in the first five minutes as Tamique Weeks drove through the Ipswich defence to score a lay up and a three-point play to extend the visitors lead to 49-19.

Kerry Moore’s free throw shooting continued to prove reliable, with 7 of her 9 point tally coming from the line, and debutant Poppy Fisk kept her cool to make an assist, which found Nunn in open territory for Bobcats’ only three-pointer of the match.

Kirstie Moore scored a point from the free throw line before Angels scored from a lay up by Ruby Clarke.  Salmon then secured a three-points play when the Haringey guard drew a foul from Laura Brocklebank on her way to the basket.

The result was already beyond doubt as the visitors took a commanding 62-24 lead into the final quarter but Bobcats’ fitness levels were exposed in the closing stages, when Joseph and Karumba relentlessly piled on 25 points without reply in a seven minute spell.

Kerry Moore gave a battling performance in her first match as captain but fouled out with just over a minute remaining, and although Nunn and Weal both made late scores for Bobcats, Haringey superior experience and fitness earned them a well deserved 91-27 victory.

Bobcats now have a few free weekends to concentrate on improving their fitness levels and integrating the new players in the line up, and face Wandsworth Sting in their next Junior Women’s National League encounter on Saturday, 4^th November.  The match takes place at Maidenhall at tips off at 4.00 p.m.

 Ipswich Bobcats players and scores: L Nunn 12, Kerry Moore 9, L Weal 3, R Wowk 2, Kirstie Moore 1, L Brocklebank 0, G Blake 0, R Chambers 0, P Fisk 0

 Haringey Angels players and scores: K Joseph 24, M Karumba 19, T Weeks 8, M Durojaye 15, M Seale 6, Y Baker 5, R Clarke 5, J Salmon 5, K Charles 3, R Johnson-Allen 1, B Diyaolu 0

  Ray Oakley - 9^th October 2006

Pre Season Tournament @ Solent Suns

The Bobcats Junior Women travelled down to the south coast and to the Solent where they participated in a 4 team tournament organised by the host club and at which former Bobcat coach Michael Ball now presides.   This was an ideal opportunity for the girls to blow away the cobwebs before their season starts at home on Sat 7 October when they entertain Haringey at Maidenhall Sports Centre..

The team could be well satisfied with 2 wins and one loss as several new faces were playing for this team for the first time

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