St Angela’s Sports Hall, Newham 09/10/11

With two games over the weekend and having won the first in a very close encounter, team spirit was hopeful for the Sunday game.  The Youngbloods were going to be a tough game having finished joint second in South Division 1 last year.

The first five of Max, Jerome, Aron, Brad and Callum D started the game in end to end fashion.  Neither team seemed able to take their chances and the scoreboard reflected this with the scoreline only 2-1 to the Youngbloods at the 6^th minute. It was then that the Youngbloods found their stride, racking up seven straight baskets in a row between the 6^th and 9^th minutes.  Coach Ben sought to bring Rob, Stuart and Callum T in to the game to disrupt the flow but ultimately the visitors would not release their grip on the game and they finished the quarter 20 – 3.

Quarter 2 started more optimistically with Richan, Aron, Tyler, Max and Brad with us pulling back three quick baskets in the first minute.  This started to become a more even contest with the Rockets determination embodied by Aron in the 3^rd minute,  Having lost the ball in the oppositions D, Aron chased the full court to execute a magnificent reject, blocked the rebound and then stole the ball to set up our next attach.  This was a determined Rockets team and they were not going down without a fight. The quarter ended 35-17 to the Youngbloods with the Rockets only leaking one point during the period.

Quarter 3 started with Callum T, Aron, Jerome, Richan and Brad and again we began to slowly pull back points.  Midway through the period, though, the Youngbloods started to move ahead and it took determination from the Rockets to up their game and keep the Youngbloods in check.  Rockets finished the quarter 54-29 down.

Both teams threw everything at quarter 4 and, with the growing confidence was evident in the fact that four 3 pointers were scored during the period. It really was end to end stuff with both teams trading baskets throughout the quarter.  But the highlight of the game for me was some superb play and drive from the team generally and Richan in particular who scored two excellent unanswered baskets in the final minute.

Final Score : Newham Youngbloods 75 - Reading Rockets 44

This was a tough examination for the Rockets by what was clearly a strong and confident Youngblood team.  It is evident though that every Rockets player is making progress in both skills and fitness and contributing to the efforts of the team.  We were in single figure deficits for 3 out of the 4 quarters and, if the team continue to make the progress and development that they have achieved so far this season with Coach Ben I am very much looking forward to the rest of the year.

Coach Ben said after the game:

“Sunday was a much tougher encounter and despite losing by a 30 point deficit the players still did very well and I was pleased we held a physical and athletic team to 75 points. Once again everybody contributed and a couple of players once again stood out which I was really pleased with.

Overall, it was a really encouraging weekend and despite making many mistakes throughout, I was pleased that the hard work and effort we have been putting in in training is starting to pay off. It is going to be a long but exciting season and I am really looking forward to guiding this team for the rest of the year. We need to make sure we keep building every time we step on the floor and continue to work on the fundamental skills as well as play with enthusiasm - the future looks bright!"

Go on the Rockets!!!!

Team and scorer table: