After a
very close first half, the Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Club's
second division team pulled away in the third period to beat Birmingham
Black Cats 51 - 33 on Saturday 20th February 2010.
Final score : CELTS 51 - 33 Black Cats
The Cardiff CELTS
Wheelchair Basketball Club's first team lost the tip against the Black
Cats huge forward (Rob Smith), but the home team were first to put
points on the board. The Black Cats were quick to reply and both teams
traded baskets throughout the first ten minute period. The Black Cats'
Smith was so tall that the CELTS were not able to challenge him for
rebounds at either end of the court which gave the away team a
considerable advantage. However, the Black Cats had travelled with a
very short bench and, in order to take advantage of that, the CELTS ran
a pressing defence from the first whistle. The CELTS narrowly won the
first period 8 - 6.
The CELTS defence
was not able to force many 8 second calls but the home team were able
to force longer, more desperate shots from the Black Cats. However,
even at the very end of their 24 second offences and having been pushed
out to the three point line, the Black Cats' Smith was consistently
burying ridiculous shots. At their defensive end, the Black Cats had
sagged into the key which, together with their incredibly tall centre,
had completely shut down the CELTS inside game. The CELTS responded
well and were able to take advantage of what breaches into the Cats key
they were able to achieve and back that up with some consistent outside
shooting. The second period was higher scoring, as both teams got into
their rhythms, but the CELTS were again able to achieve a narrow lead
(winning the period 14-12) and going into the half time break 22 - 18
in the lead.
The CELTS pressing
tactics began to reap dividends in the third period when the travelling
team (and their short bench) began to run out of steam. The game still
felt very evenly matched but the travelling team had begun to tire,
their shots began to fall short and passing errors started to creep
into their game. The CELTS were focussed on keeping the Cats' Smith out
of the game and, despite the furious picking efforts of his team mates,
this dramatically cut down the Cat's scoring rate. The CELTS won the
period 15-6. The home team had finally managed to establish a lead and
went into the final period 37 - 24 in the lead.
Having established
a considerable momentum in the third period, the CELTS drove home the
match for a convincing win. The CELTS' new addition, Rhys Thomas,
contributed to the final score with a lay-up under pressure - which
received a cheer from all the CELTS and their supporters! Although the
game play seemed quite evenly matched, the home team won the final
period 14-9 giving the CELTS first team their second win in a row!
Final Score : CELTS 51 - Black Cats 33
CELTS Scorers : Liam Holt - 16; Phil Cochrane - 16; Mo Khan - 8; Caroline Matthews - 7; Steve McGrath - 2 and Rhys Thomas - 2.
The CELTS started
tentatively but eventually found their confidence and stormed away with
the match. Head Coach, Holly Hinchey's, tactics of pressing proved
invaluable as the away team ran out of steam in the third period and
gave the CELTS a considerable edge, momentum and, eventually, the win.
All of the CELTS contributed to this result which is sure to make us a
stronger team - where every team member is an offensive threat. And, as
usual, we were helped by our intrepid group of supporters - thanks
guys!!
The CELTS first
team have a few weekend's break - their next match is at home (Eastern
Leisure Centre, Cardiff) against Essex Outlaws on Saturday 27th March
2010. The CELTS have already met the Outlaws once this season - and it
proved to be a very close game that the Outlaws ran away with at the
end. The CELTS will be determined to achieve a win on the return leg -
and a noisy home crowd would certainly help us. Entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
After
an extremely close match, the Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball
Club's first team manage to establish a last minute lead to beat Aspire
Force 48 - 38 on Saturday 13th February 2010.
Final score : CELTS 48 - 38 Force
At their home venue
in Eastern Leisure Centre, Cardiff, the CELTS started the game on a
promising note by winning the tip and creating a quick lead (8-4)
within the first few minutes. The away team were forced into an early
time out and came out fired up - Force's Aaron Simmonds pulled back
most of the damage and they refocused their defence on keeping the
CELTS' Matthews in the back court. The first period remained very
evenly matched and the teams went into the first break with the CELTS
enjoying a narrow 2 point lead (10-8).
In the second
quarter the CELTS managed to create a large number of scoring
opportunities (as they did throughout the match) but were frequently
unable to convert. At times it seemed that the baskets just would not
drop and, after 4 minutes, Force took the lead. The CELTS were trying
out a few different defensive structures in the second period and this
occasionally left gaps which the away team were quick to take advantage
of. Force continued with the momentum they had created and a few
minutes later had pulled 5 points clear - however, a last minute loss
of focus gave 3 quick baskets to the CELTS and enabled the home team to
go into the half time break just 1 point behind (21-22).
The CELTS Head
Coach, Holly Hinchey, adjusted the defensive structure of the home team
at half time and both teams went into the third period ready to fight
for every last possession. The CELTS were now pressing but the superior
speed and shooting accuracy of Force's Simmonds and Gregan enabled the
travelling team to pull away and after 5 minutes Force had achieved an
8 point lead. Coach Hinchey called a time out and went to a faster line
up to try to cut out the fast breaks - and it worked! The CELTS kicked
into their usual fast paced, relaxed style of basketball and scored
three baskets in the last 2 minutes of the quarter. Overall, Force has
won the period (10-12) but only three points separated the teams as
they went into the final period (31-34).
The refereeing had
been "interesting" throughout the game, with both teams at times
feeling that they were the victim of unwarranted and unfair calls. The
frustration this caused bubbled to the surface in the final period - it
began with an exclamation of surprise from the CELTS' Holt being
rewarded with a technical foul and was followed shortly with the
critical fifth foul being awarded to Force's Simmonds. The loss of
their number 42, cost Force dearly and the CELTS were able to run away
with the remainder of the quarter. The home team dominated the boards
at both ends and won the final quarter 17 - 4, giving the home team the
much needed win 48 - 38.
Final Score : CELTS 48 - Force 38
CELTS Scorers : Liam Holt - 16; Caroline Matthews - 12; Phil Cochrane - 12; Romeo Embolo - 4; Mo Khan - 2 and Julie Salmon - 2.
The CELTS made a
LOT of scoring opportunities and statistically were in a position to
have won this match easily but, unfortunately, were not able to
capitalise on most of those opportunities - which made for a very
closely fought match. Force came to Cardiff with a long bench of
experienced players whilst the 7 CELTS players were able to have little
rest through this game….and this was made worse in the final period
when the CELTS' Julie Salmon had to leave the court - after a close
facial encounter with the ball. Overall it was a gritty and determined
win for the "new boys" in the 2nd Division!
The CELTS first
team's next match is at home (Eastern Leisure Centre, Cardiff) against
Birmingham Blackcats on Saturday 20th February 2010, tip off at 3.50pm.
The Blackcats are the only team in the second division who we have not
yet played…we really don't know what to expect but its certain to be a
dynamic and exciting clash. A noisy home crowd would certainly help us
and entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
The
CELTS fight hard with a short bench over a two match weekend (Saturday
30th and Sunday 31st January 2010) - but come away without a win.
Final score : CELTS 33 - 43 Heat
Final score : CELTS 46 - 58 Outlaws
Saturday 30th January 2010
The CELTS left a snowy Cardiff bright and early on Saturday 30th
January 2010 and made the long journey to Hereward (near Cambridge) to
play the Heat. The CELTS travelled with only 6 players this weekend and
played the whole 40 minutes against Heat with only 8 points on court!!
The CELTS drew
first blood but the Heat were quick to retaliate and both teams traded
baskets throughout the first ten minute period. The pace of the match
was fast with both teams securing valuable scoring opportunities. The
CELTS were penetrating into the key and scoring inside whilst the
Heat's veteran players seemed to score at will with long outside shots.
The first period saw the Heat take a narrow lead and went into the
first break 10 - 9 ahead.
Again the CELTS
scored first in the second period, with another inside shot, and
(again) the Heat retaliated. Each basket saw the narrow lead changes
hands until the Heat managed to pull together two baskets in a row in
the final minute of the quarter. The Heat won the period narrowly 11 -
9 and gave the home team a half time lead of 21 - 18.
Some of the key
Heat scorers had been delayed by a road closure, but they showed up in
time to take part in the match after the half time break. The CELTS
head coach, Holly Hinchey, was forced into an early time out to adjust
the CELTS defence to cover the new offensive threats from the Heat.
This slowed the Heat's scoring rate, however, the Heat had also
identified the main scoring threats from the CELTS and similarly pinned
those players away from the basket! The result was an extremely hard
fought third period. In the end, a few sloppy passes from the away team
gave the Heat the edge and they won the third period 12 - 8.
The teams went into
the final quarter with the Heat in the lead by only 7 points (33 - 26).
The CELTS knew that the game was still within their reach - but the
pressure to score led to some defensive errors from the tiring CELTS
(who had not been able to substitute for the entire match) and the Heat
won the final period 10 - 7.
Final Score : CELTS 33 - Heat 43
CELTS Scorers : Caroline Matthews - 17; Liam Holt - 11; Steve McGrath - 5.
The exhausted CELTS
hit the road and headed for Chelmsford - where they stayed overnight
before their match the following day against Essex Outlaws…
Sunday 31st January 2010
The CELTS won the
tip and took advantage immediately. The Outlaws, however, had a very
long and talented bench and they were very quick to respond. Three
quick baskets came from some excellent outside shooting and the CELTS
were forced into a very early timeout. The re-grouped CELTS were able
to trade baskets with the Outlaws for the remainder of the first period
and the home team went into the first break 18 - 13 in the lead.
The CELTS fought
back hard in the second period. They had identified the main threats
from the Outlaws and the defence had been adjusted accordingly. The
Outlaws speed (and home court) gave them a slight advantage but the
CELTS persisted and won the second period 14 - 12. The match was
proving to be a very fast paced and high scoring affair - with a half
time score (in the Outlaws favour) of 30 - 27.
The CELTS continued
to hussle the Outlaws main offensive threats in the third period which
held them to 6 baskets in the quarter. In terms of scoring
opportunities, the CELTS should have won the third period - but their
shots were starting to fall short and they missed all 9 of the free
throws they were awarded in this period. Eventually, the teams ended
the period with 12 points each - leaving the Outlaws with the same 3
point lead that they started the period with.
In an attempt to
break the stale mate the CELTS introduced a full court press - but,
having played two matches in two days, with no substitutions (and only
8 points on court!), the CELTS really began to tire in the fourth
period. This gave the Outlaws a number of fast break opportunities and
a final score that did not reflect the tight nature of the whole match.
The Outlaws won the final period 16 - 7.
Final score : CELTS 46 - Outlaws 58.
CELTS Scorers : Liam Holt - 16; Caroline Matthews - 15; Mo Khan - 7; Steve McGrath - 6 and Julie Salmon - 2.
The CELTS fought
hard all weekend and, despite losing both games, were very pleased with
how well they played. The CELTS were not able to substitute throughout
the matches - meaning that all 5 players played the full 40 minutes on
both days. In addition, out of the usual 14 points that you are allowed
on court, the CELTS were only able to field a team that added up to 8
points! Despite all of this, the CELTS put up an extremely good fight
in both matches and, at times, were in a position to win both of the
games. Overall the weekend has boosted the CELTS confidence - we knew
that both games were there for the taking!!
The
CELTS first team's next match is home (at Eastern Leisure Centre in
Cardiff) on Saturday 13th February 2010 against London Force, tip off
at 1.50pm. A noisy home crowd would certainly help us and entry to all
our games is free - so please come along and support us!
It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
Match Report by C Matthews
The CELTS hold their nerve to close out a tight game against the Hereward Heat on Saturday 12th December 2009.
Final score : CELTS 41 - 34 Heat
Still recovering
from the previous weekends difficult loss to the Aces, the CELTS first
team were playing in their home venue (Eastern Leisure Centre, Cardiff)
on Saturday 12th December 2009 against Hereward Heat.
Some last minute
transport difficulties led to a slightly disrupted warm up for the home
team and they faced the much taller and longer bench of the well
establish Heat club with some trepidation. The CELTS first team have
only just won promotion to the second division, whilst the Heat team
have just been demoted from the first division for the current season.
All of which led to a tight and nervous start from the CELTS.
We lost the tip and
the Heat were the first to open the scoring but the CELTS soon
discovered that they were more than a match for the Heat (in terms of
speed and skill) and stayed with the Heat point for point throughout
the first period. The CELTS actually generated more scoring
opportunities then the Heat but the calmer nerves of the Heat team
meant that they were able to convert more of their chances. The CELTS
shooting was tense and the baskets were not dropping readily. The first
ten minutes were tight and scrappy and it was a only a last second
buzzer-beater from the CELTS captain Liam holt that enabled the CELTS
to finish the period tied with the Heat on 8 points each.
The CELTS had
pressed the Heat from the start. The speed of the Heat's Matt Coleman
meant that they were able to bring the ball up the court on most
occasions, however some excellent switching from the CELTS frustrated
most of the lay-up opportunities that the Heat had created for
themselves. The second period saw the CELTS begin to relax into the
match and in the second half of the quarter they began to establish
some momentum. A quick series of baskets from the CELTS' Holt, Caroline
Matthews, Mo Khan and Phil Cochrane led to the CELTS winning the
quarter 10-6. The Heat responded aggressively and the game became quite
physical but the CELTS went into the half time break with a narrow lead
at 18-14.
During half time,
the CELTS head coach Holly Hinchey, made a number of adjustments to the
CELTS players and defensive tactics - but the Heat brought a new
line-up to the court in the third period which thwarted most of those
changes. The match continued to be a closely fought and physical
encounter and the ref's were forced to regularly interrupt the flow of
the match as a result. Initially, the CELTS scoring rate had dried up
and the Heat were regaining momentum in the match. The score line drew
closer but an amazing trio of baskets in quick succession from the
CELTS' Julie Salmon re-established the CELTS' narrow lead. The CELTS'
newest rookie, Rhys Thomas, also made a valuable contribution to the
quarter at both ends of the court. The Heat were not easily beaten
however and the period ended with both teams having scored 10 points
each. The CELTS went into the final period clinging onto the four point
lead they had established in the second quarter.
The momentum had
definitely swung back in favour of the Heat in the third period and the
CELTS were now feeling the pressure again going into the final quarter.
The period opened, however, with two quick baskets from the CELTS'
Caroline Matthews and the home side immediately re-established the
upper-hand. The CELTS succeeding in keeping their nerve for the final
ten minutes and were rewarded with the highest scoring period of the
whole match. After just four minutes the CELTS had established an 11
point lead, but the Heat were not giving up without a fight and came
blistering back at the CELTS in the final 5 minutes. They had left it
too late to mount the come-back, however, and the CELTS won the final
period 13-10.
Final Score : CELTS 41 - Heat 34
CELTS Scorers :
Caroline Matthews - 10; Liam Holt - 10; Julie Salmon - 6; Phil Cochrane
- 5; Mo Khan - 4 points; Steve McGrath - 2; Romeo Ebassa Embolo - 2 and
Rhys Thomas - 2.
The CELTS fought
hard for 40 minutes to secure this win over the Heat - and considering
the Heat have only just dropped down from the first division, the CELTS
can be very pleased with themselves going into the Christmas break. The
CELTS held their nerve under pressure in the final period and,
generally, were very solid in defence. This was a real team effort, an
excellent and gritty performance and a great win for the new team in
2nd division!
The CELTS first team's next match is away in Birmingham on Sunday 10th
January 2010. Our next home match (at Eastern Leisure Centre in
Cardiff) is on Saturday 16th January 2009 against Essex Outlaws, tip
off at 11.50am. Essex Outlaws are part of a large and well established
wheelchair basketball club - so its sure to be a tough encounter!
A noisy home crowd would certainly help us and entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
Match Report by C Matthews
After coming back from a considerable deficit the CELTS are unable to hold onto their lead and lose by one point (41-42) to Aylesbury Aces on Saturday 5th December 2009
Final score : CELTS 41 - 42 Aces
The CELTS lost the
tip but quickly stole the ball back from the Aces. Unfortunately,
however, the CELTS were unable to convert their first opportunity and
it was the Aces that put the first points on the board in the second
minute. The CELTS had started slowly after the long drive to
Buckinghamshire and the Aces, who took full advantage of the CELTS'
hesitant start, began a first period scoring run of roughly two baskets
to every one from the CELTS. The first ten minute period ended with the
ACES having dominated the offensive boards and enjoying a comfortable
lead at 14-6.
The CELTS Head
coach Holly Hinchey regrouped the CELTS and they went back onto the
court for the second period in a much more aggressive and up-tempo
fashion. Two quick baskets from the CELTS' Caroline Matthews within the
opening minute brought a definite change in the momentum of the game
and the CELTS came roaring back at the Aces. Baskets began to fall for
the CELTS' Captain Liam Holt, Phil Cochrane and Matthews and the CELTS
clawed their way back into the match with some expert picking from
Julie Salmon. The CELTS won the second period 13-8, taking them into
the half time break just three points behind Aces with the score at
22-19. Rhys Thomas, who has only recently joined the CELTS and taken up
wheelchair basketball, made his debut in the second period and
performed amazingly well under a press and in a fast and tense match -
a sign of good things to come!
The ten minute half
time break saw the CELTS relax slightly and this resulted in an
uncertain start to the third period - the Aces scored two quick baskets
to re-establish a 7 point lead. The CELTS have been working hard
recently to improve on their historically "wobbly" third period
performances and these two initial baskets from the Aces were enough to
spur the CELTS into a scoring spree which they maintained throughout
the period. The CELTS' Phil Cochrane produced a jaw-dropping reverse
scoop lay-up that stopped everyone in their tracks and Mo Khan made
some blistering shots at speed and under pressure! The CELTS won the
third period 8 - 13 which took them into the final break with the
benefit of a narrow two point lead (30 - 32).
Again the Aces were
first to put points on the board in the final quarter which brought the
two teams level and for the next 6 minutes the CELTS and Aces traded
baskets - neither was able to pull away from the other. An
unsportsmanlike foul from the Aces gave the CELTS an opportunity to
pull away but the away team was tiring on the unfamiliar and demanding
rubber court floor and they failed to fully capitalise. A quick basket
and a free throw from the CELTS finally gave them a three point lead
(41 - 38) with a minute and a half left on the clock. Small lapses in
concentration from the tired CELTS, however, saw the Aces take a last
minute lead with two baskets….leaving the score at 42-41 (in the Aces
favour) and with the CELTS in possession for the final offence. The
point guard Holt launched the ball into Matthews on the edge of the key
- who shot….and scored. Unfortunately the ref's considered that the
shot was taken after the final buzzer, the basket was dis-allowed and a
win by the narrowest of margins was handed to the Aces.
Final Score : CELTS 41 - Aces 42
CELTS Scorers : Caroline Matthews - 15; Liam Holt - 11; Phil Cochrane - 10 and Mo Khan - 5 points.
The CELTS had a
very short bench and players carrying injuries on this occasion - and
the rubber surface of the away match venue certainly took its toll over
the course of 40 minutes. We have already played (and beaten) the Aces
once this season and we knew it would be very difficult to repeat that
result on the Aces home court. Despite being disappointed to lose such
a close game, the CELTS performed very well and remained calm under
considerable pressure as this incredibly close match came to a close -
so the future still looks bright!
The CELTS arrived
at the venue in time to watch the end of the Superleague encounter
between Aylesbury Aces and Oldham Owls which showcased many current and
former GB men and women - it was a very inspirational game for the
CELTS players to watch. The CELTS have only recently gained promotion
to the second division - which was an amazing achievement for such a relatively new club (in the league for only 4 seasons).
The
CELTS first team's next match is home (at Eastern Leisure Centre in
Cardiff) on Saturday 12th December 2009 against Hereward Heat, tip off
at 1.50pm. We don't know anything about the Heat - except that they are
a well established second division team who are sure to provide the
CELTS with a very tough match!
The
CELTS second team (who compete in the National League fourth division)
have a friendly game against Gloucester Blazers on Saturday 12th December 2009, tip off at 3.30pm. It follows on straight after the first team match!
A noisy home crowd would certainly help both of our CELTS teams and
entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
Match Report by C Matthews
After a valiant fight, the CELTS first team lose against Exeter Otters on Saturday 7th November 2009.
Final score : CELTS 40 - 59 Otters
Everyone expected a
tough match today - the Exeter Otters are currently "top of the table"
in the second division and have a selection of tall, quick and accurate
players. It's a long established club who have competed in the second
division for many years. The Cardiff CELTS, on the other hand, are a
relatively new team who have only just won promotion to the second
division. The CELTS, however, were not intimidated.
The third match of
the newly promoted Cardiff CELTS 2009 - 2010 season got off to an
excellent and very quick start. Much to everyone's surprise, the CELTS
drew first blood and after 4 minutes were 8-2 up on the beleaguered
Otters. The Otters called a quick time out and came flying back against
the CELTS in the second half of the first period. Despite the CELTS
best efforts, the Otters managed to draw level with the CELTS and the
score at the end of the first period was 16 points each.
The Otters had not,
however, entirely interrupted the momentum initially established by the
CELTS. The home side came out strong in the second quarter and put up
three unanswered baskets before the Otters could get back into their
game. The CELTS adjusted their defence to focus on Damian Hourd and
Jordan Bright who, between them, were scoring all of the Otters points
and managed to win the second period 12 - 8, bringing the half time
score to CELTS 28 - Otters 24.
After a ten minute
half time break, the Otters launches ferociously into the third period.
Their coach had adjusted his defensive structure to keep the primary
CELTS threats out of their offensive game which, together with a
pressing defence after each score, managed to disrupt the CELTS game
almost entirely. The CELTS began to rush and struggle with possession
which resulted in an increasing number of intercepted passes and
turn-overs. The CELTS were able to achieve scoring opportunities but
were only able to convert a few and the home sides scoring rate
crashed. By the end of the third quarter, the Otters had began to run
away with the match. They outscored the CELTS 11 - 4.
The Otters had the
benefit of a full (and thoroughly talented) bench and, in the fourth
period, their coach was now able to capitalise on that advantage. The
CELTS only had 6 players and all were now tiring. The Otters began to
rotate through their players and the CELTS were unable to maintain the
pace. The CELTS continued to score but could not respond to the fast
breaks that the Otters were now achieving and the Otters won the final
period 24 - 8.
Final Score : CELTS 40 - Otters 59
CELTS Scorers : Caroline Matthews - 20; Liam Holt - 11; Phil Cochrane - 7 and Steve McGrath - 2.
This encounter with
the Exeter Otters saw the Cardiff CELTS first team endure their first
defeat of the 2009 - 2010 season. Considering that the CELTS have only
just been promoted to the second division, they have had an incredible
start (with two wins) and will learn a lot from this meeting with the
Otters. This was a very fast paced match and the CELTS suffered from
short bench - the length and depth of the Otters bench meant that they
could continue to rotate players throughout the game. The game was
incredibly tightly played and hard (but fairly) fought and the Otters'
scoring run in the final period made the scoreline look worse than it
actually was. The CELTS will look forward to seeing the Otters again in
the new year.
The
CELTS first team's next match is away in Aylesbury on 5th December
2009. Their next home match (at Eastern Leisure Centre) will be against
the Hereward Heat on Saturday 12th December 2009, tip off at 1.50pm. We
don't know anything about the Heat - except that they are a well
established second division team who are sure to provide the CELTS with
a very tough match!
The
CELTS second team (who compete in the National League fourth division)
have matches away in Gloucester against the Blazers and the Bears on
Saturday 28th November 2009. The CELTS II next home game is against Gloucester Blazers on Saturday 12th December 2009, tip off at 3.30pm. It follows on straight after the first team match!
A noisy home crowd would certainly help both of our CELTS teams and
entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us! It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
We wish all our CELTS luck with their upcoming away games.
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
The CELTS first team win AGAIN in their second Division Two match - beating Aspire Force 42 - 36 in a closely fought encounter on Saturday 17th October 2009.
After a
disastrous start, the Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Club's first
team win AGAIN in their second match in Division Two - beating Aspire
Force 42 - 36 in a closely fought encounter on Saturday 17th October
2009.
Final score : CELTS 42 - 36 Aces
The Cardiff CELTS
first team's trip to Stanmore (North London) to play Aspire Force got
off to a very difficult start when the trusty van (which was already
loaded with all the team's wheelchairs) steadfastly refused to start!
This resulted in a re-arranging of cars and slightly later than
advertised departure from Cardiff. After a quick stop in the services,
we arrived and got into our sports-chairs just 9 minutes before the
match was scheduled to start!! It was also quite intimidating to see a
very full Force bench, compared to the 6 CELTS players that had been
able to make the game.
The rushed journey
and disorganised and short warm-up left the CELTS with their minds
still "on the road" and they got the match off to a terrible start. The
Force team included some very quick and accurate shooters and the
CELTS, who started in a zone defence, were initially unable to prevent
them from almost scoring at will. The Force coach had prepared his team
with a defensive structure that targeted the CELTS' leading scorers.
The lack of focus from the CELTS led to a lot of intercepted passes and
turn-overs at the start of the game, allowing Force to achieve a
considerable and unanswered lead by the end of the first period. The
CELTS went into first break trailing 14 - 6.
The CELTS, however,
refused to lie down. A sharp talk from head coach Holly Hinchey helped
to concentrate the CELTS on the task at hand and their defence was
adjusted to deal with Force's leading scorers. The second period began
at a similarly furious and physical pace but the sharper performance
from the CELTS enabled them to trade basket for basket with Force. In
fact, the CELTS managed to score two points more than Force in the
second period, resulting in the CELTS going into the half time break
behind 26 - 20.
The CELTS improved
accuracy and care with the ball had allowed them to keep pace with
Force in the second period, but more was clearly needed if the CELTS
were going to significantly close the gap. And more was what the CELTS
gave! The third period completely changed the whole momentum of the
match. The CELTS started aggressively and, having changed to a pressing
defence, were able to secure a number of 8 second calls and other
turn-overs in their favour. Three minutes into the period the CELTS had
drawn level with Force on 28 points - but the CELTS didn't relent. They
continued to press and take advantage of the impetus they had
established and, now that they had worked their way back into the game,
the confidence returned to their shooting. The CELTS won the third
period 16 - 4, bringing the score at the end of the third period to 30
- 36 to the CELTS.
The fourth period
saw Force also bring a press to the court and both teams fought an
aggressive a stalemated final period. The CELTS continued to pull away
from Force at the beginning of the period but Force managed to score a
few desperate last baskets to bring the score for the period level on 6
points for each team. The CELTS held the ball for the full 24 seconds
of their remaining offences and tactfully ran the clock down. The CELTS
ended the match with a six point lead.
Final Score : CELTS 42 - Force 36
CELTS Scorers : Liam Holt - 25; Caroline Matthews - 9; Mo Khan - 4; Steve McGrath - 2 and Julie Salmon - 2.
After such an awful
start the CELTS did amazingly well to claw their way back into this
game. And it was really great news that the third period saw the CELTS
produce some of their best basketball - the CELTS often struggle to
perform in the third period, straight after the half time break, but it
was the third period that changed the whole momentum of the game and
handed victory to the CELTS. The CELTS captain, Liam Holt, managed to
put a massive 25 points on the board whilst Mo Khan put in his best
"all round game" performance to date. This was a really excellent team
performance - well done guys!!
The Cardiff CELTS
Wheelchair Basketball Club's first team are the "new guys" in the
southern region of the Second Division. Their match on Saturday 17th
October 2009 saw their second ever game in the second division - and
their second win of the season. They have already proved that their
promotion was no accident and are looking forward to the remainder of
the season.
The CELTS first
team's next match is at home (Eastern Leisure Centre) against Exeter
Otters on Saturday 7th November 2009, tip off at 1.50pm. The Otters are
a young and speedy team who field a number of current and potential
Great Britain players - its certain to be a dynamic and exciting clash.
A noisy home crowd would certainly help us and entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
It would be great to meet you at one of our matches soon!
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
GREAT
NEWS - The CELTS first team have won their first EVER 2nd Division
Basketball match ...beating Aylesbury ACES 47 - 31 at Eastern Leisure
Centre on Sunday 11th October 2009.
Having
been promoted to the Second Division at the end of last season, the
CELTS first team got their 2009-2010 season off to an amazing start -
with a win over the Aylesbury Aces on Sunday 11th October 2009.
The CELTS
Wheelchair Basketball Club's first team finished second in the National
League's third division at the end of last season - and after the
play-offs and a nervous wait we found out we had been promoted to the
Second Division for the 2009-2010 season!!! This was a massive
achievement for a Club which has only been playing competitively for
three seasons - and is a testament to all the hard work that the
players, coaches, volunteers and supporters have put in over the past
three years….so we would like to start this match report by saying a
huge THANK YOU to everyone involved!
Sunday 11th October
2009 saw the CELTS playing their first ever second division game…and to
say we were nervous would be an under-statement. We had no idea what to
expect and were nervous about how we would compete in the second
division.
The match tipped
off at 12.50pm at Eastern Leisure Centre in Cardiff and, after winning
the tip, the Aces scored two baskets (both long outside shots) almost
immediately. Instead of scaring the CELTS into submission, however,
this inspired the home team into its usual rhythm. The pre-match nerves
and insecurities fell away and the CELTS began to play their own - they
came storming back with 5 baskets of their own. The teams traded
baskets for the remainder of the period and the CELTS went into the
first break 13-6.
After a show of
solid outside shooting from the Aces, the CELTS changed to a pressing
defence for the second period and both teams scored consistently
throughout the ten minute period. The CELTS made a lot of scoring
opportunities for themselves but failed to capitalise on the majority
of them. The CELTS court play was, on the whole, more varied and
opportunistic than the Aces and the CELTS created more scoring
opportunities than the score reflected in the second period - but the
Aces kept pace with the CELTS scoring rate (both teams managed to score
12 points each) and we went into the half-time break 25 - 18 in the
lead.
The team's remained
dead-locked in the third period. The CELTS were creating a lot of
opportunities and the Aces were beginning to break through the press -
both teams were struggling with the very "bouncy" rings in the hall and
the scoring rate didn't reflect the fast pace and aggression of the
game. The CELTS retained their lead and went into the fourth and final
period 33 - 24.
The last period was
very closely fought. The CELTS remained in a pressing defence and the
Aces began to hustle the CELTS in an attempt to claw back some of the
lead and disrupt the momentum that the CELTS had established. The last
few minutes, however, saw the Aces grip on the match slip slightly and
the CELTS were able to score a number of quick lay-ups…which led to a
final score which suggests that the gap between the two teams was
greater than it actually was.
Final Score : CELTS 47 - Aces 31
CELTS Scorers :
Liam Holt - 16; Caroline Matthews - 13; Phil Cochrane - 8; Romeo
Ebassa Embolo - 4; Steve McGrath - 2; Mo Khan 2 and Julie Salmon 2.
For its first
adventure into the Second Division, the CELTS did incredibly well to
win this match. It would have been entirely understandable for the
CELTS to crack under the sheer anticipation of playing against such a
well-established club. However, their CELTS held their nerve and,
despite not playing at their best, managed a convincing win over the
Aces. The CELTS realised that promotion to the second division would
involve a huge step up in both tempo and skill…and we still have some
rust to work out after the long summer break. However, ALL of the CELTS
managed to score in this match - it was a true team effort - and this
amazing result should certainly boost the CELTS confidence for the
remainder of its first season in the Second Division.
Well done guys!!
The CELTS first team's next match is away at Force in London on Saturday 17th
October 2009 - the results and a match report will be posted on this website shortly after the game. The CELTS next homes game is
against Exeter Otters on Saturday 7th November 2009, tip off at 1.50pm.
The Otters are a young and speedy team who field a number of current
and potential Great Britain players - its certain to be a dynamic and
exciting clash. A noisy home crowd would certainly help us and entry to all our games is free - so please come along and support us!
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
WELL DONE CELTS - GREAT START TO THE NEW SEASON!!!
