3rd Division Team
Match Reports 2006/2007 Season
ThirdDivisionMatchbetweenCardiffBayTigersandBristolPiratesonSunday17thSeptember2006
FinalScore:Cardiff BayTigers37-30 BristolPirates
Sunday17thSeptember2006sawtheinauguralgameofCardiff’sfirsteverwheelchairbasketballclub.AndtheTigersgotofftoasuccessfulstartwithaclosewinoverBristolPirates.
ThewholeexperiencewasnoveltothenewCardiffteamandtheadventurebeganwithcrammingallofthechairsintoTor'smum'svanandalltheplayerssqueezingintothemini-buskindlyprovidedbyColegGlanHafren.Thedirectionsturnedouttobeaccurateandwearrivedatthevenue(ChosenHillSchool,Churchdown,Gloucester)ingoodtime.
ThevenuesportshallhadarubbercourtsurfacewhichmadethegoingmuchharderthanthenewplayersfromCardiffwereusedtoo-buttheycopedamazinglywell.
Thegamebeganand,despitelosingthetipoff,Bristolgotofftoaveryquickstartwiththeirbigforward(andcoach)IestynReesscoringtwoquickbasketsbeforetheTigersreallygotstuckintosettingtheirdefence.AcoupleofquickbasketsinreplybyCaptainLiamHoltandforwardCarolineMatthewsleveledthescoreandtheTiger'ssettledintoplayingtheirownbrandofbasketball.AfewmorequickbasketsfromCarolineMatthewsandSteveMcGraththensawtheTigersgainashortleadof6pointswiththefirstperiodending12-6.
ThesecondperiodsawtheTigersconsolidatetheirleadwithbasketscomingfromSteveMcGrath,LiamHolt,CarolineMatthewsandSimonJones.ThePiratesfounditdifficulttodefendagainstsomanyoftheTigersbeingabletotakeittothehoop.Thesecondperiodended10-6withthehalftimescorebeing22-12.
HalftimesawtheTigersbecomeslightlydistractedfromthetaskathandandconsequentlytheymadeaslowstartintothethirdperiodwhichletthePiratesgetbackintothegame.PiratesIestynReesandLCollettandTomRollasonscoredaquickseriesofbasketsanddespitesomeincredibleshootingbytheTigers'DamienHallett,thePirateswonthethirdperiod10-14whichnarrowedtheTiger'soverallleadtojust6points.AquickteamtalkfromHeadCoachHollyHincheyrefocusedeveryone'smindsonthedefenceandtheTigerstooktothefloorforthefinalperiod.
ThefourthquartersawthegametakeadesperateandmoreaggressiveturnwiththePiratesfranticallytryingtoclawavictorybackfromthenewTigersteam.TheTigersdefenceremainedfirmandheldthePiratestoonly4pointsinthefinalquarter.ThelasttwominutessawthePiratesturntosomedesperatethreepointshootingwhichprovedtobeunsuccessfulandtheTigerscameouttriumphantwithafinalscoreof37-30.
TheTiger’sbenefitedfromalargenumberofsupportersatthisfirstmatch-andabigthankyougoestoSamandScott(Tigersteammates)andalltheparentsthatcametosupportus.AndparticularthanksgoestoTor’smumandsisterfortheirhelpwiththevanandchairs.
Overallitwasacloseandhardfoughtgame.ItwasanexcellentfirstexperienceforthenewCardiffteambutithasalsoidentifiedanumberofareaswheremorehardworkisneeded.
Welldonetoeveryoneinvolvedwithwhatwasagreatteameffort.
TigersScorer’s:CMatthews-17,DHallett-10,LHolt-5,SMcGrath-3,SJones-2.
TheTiger’sleaguebattlecontinueswithahomegameagainstEssexOutlawsatColegGlanHafrenonSaturday23rdSeptember2006at4pm.Spectatorsareverywelcomeandentryisfree.
ReportbyCarolineMatthews
Cardiff Bay Tigers win first home match!
Third Division Match between CardiffBay Tigers and Essex Outlaws on Saturday 23rd September 2006
Final Score : Cardiff Bay Tigers 34 - 31 Essex Outlaws
On Saturday 23rd September 2006 the Cardiff Bay Tigers played their first ever home game. Essex Outlaws were always going to be tough opponents as they are an experienced outfit which is part of a club which has been playing together for years. The game was made all the more difficult for the novice Cardiff team by the Outlaws turning up at the Coleg Glan Hafren (Trowbridge Campus) venue over an hour later than expected. The Tiger's had to refocus after such a long waiting and warm up period to make sure they started fresh.
The Tiger's won the tip and took first blood with Steve McGrath opening the scoring. Further baskets followed from assistant coach and forward Caroline Matthews and Captain Liam Holt. The Tigers finished the first quarter with a short lead 9 - 6.
Cardiff got away with another quick start to the second period with a rapid series of baskets from Wanderson Martinez, Liam Holt and Caroline Matthews. But the strength and experience of the Outlaws (which included two players who played in the GBWBA First Division last season) began to show and they started to make it difficult for the Tigers to even get back into defence by systematically picking players back. The score in the hard fought and close second period was Cardiff 9, Essex 8 - resulting in a half time score of Cardiff 18 - Essex 14.
Essex Outlaws continued to increase the pressure in the third period by introducing a full court press - which had the desired effect on some of the Cardiff players who began to rush and not play the game at their own pace. The experience of the more established team also began to show in their finishing and they won the third period Cardiff 6 - Essex - 8.
A tough team talk from Head Coach Holly Hinchey re-focused the Tigers minds on their defensive roles and introduced a number of plays to help the Tigers with the Outlaw's press and the fourth period began with the Tiger's holding on to a slim lead of 2 points.
The fourth period was even more keenly fought with Essex intensifying their press and scoring some clutch baskets. But an impressive shooting display from Liam Hold and Caroline Matthews kept the Tigers ahead and new Cardiff team eventually managed to pull away to a 6 point lead with 2 minutes to go. Cardiff managed to secure the ball in their offensive end and ran the clock through two offenses. But the game was not over yet - the Outlaws held their nerve and sunk a 3 pointer with 50 seconds left. The Tigers in-bounded the ball and managed to retain possession for most of the remaining time but the Outlaws managed to get a steal in the Tiger’s defensive end with just 11 seconds on the clock. Essex were clearly setting up for a final 3 point attempt but the Tigers hustled the opposition so closely that they were able to prevent Essex making a clear shot and the match ended with the Tigers 3 points ahead.
Final Score : CardiffBay Tigers 34 - Essex Outlaws 31.
Despite the pressure applied by Essex the Cardiff Bay Tigers stuck together and remained firm in their defence (which had been slightly adjusted since their first match). Again the win was a great team effort and congratulation goes to all who were involved.
The Tiger’s again benefited from a large number of supporters at this first home match. This may have been the result of the CELTS Basketball Academy Launch Party (see News items) which had been held the night before this match but we hope it will continue throughout the season. We would like to say a big thank you to all our supporters - you really made a difference in this closely fought match.
Many thanks also to the table officials who are members of the CELTS women's basketball team.
Tigers Scorers : C Matthews - 15, L Holt - 13, S McGrath - 2, W Martinez - 2; D Stone - 2.
The Tigers have now got a short break to learn from the lessons of the opening two matches. The Tiger’s next match is away against Buck's Aces at Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury on Saturday 7th October at 2pm. The Tiger's next home game (at Coleg Glan Hafren) is on Saturday 14th October 2006 at 5pm against the West Coast Tornadoes. Spectators are always welcome and entry is free.
Report by Caroline Matthews
Clipping From The South Wales Echo on 27 September 2006 :
Third Division Match between Cardiff CELTS (formerly Cardiff Bay Tigers) and Bucks Aces on Saturday 7th October 2006 at AylesburyHigh School
Final Score : Cardiff CELTS 35 - 40 Bucks Aces
Cardiff’s third game in its inaugural season in the National League saw it suffer its first defeat.
Tip off was at 12.30 in Aylesbury and the Cardiff CELTS made a slow start to the game - the early morning start and 3 and a half hour journey had left the CELTS feeling sluggish with all the team members showing uncharacteristic lapses in concentration in the first half of the game.
The Bucks Aces, who were also used to the "slow" rubberised court surface, started aggressively and, after winning the tip off, took an early lead. The Aces made lots of shooting opportunities for themselves but could not get the buckets to fall in the first quarter. The CELTS fought back hard and made sure of their baskets when they were able to get past the Aces tough "high line" defence with scores coming from Steve McGrath, Captain Liam Holt and player/coach Caroline Matthews. The Aces were obviously benefiting from being coached by an International Coach, but the CELTS were well matched overall and the first period ended Aces 11 - 10 CELTS.
Unfortunately for the Cardiff team, the Aces baskets began to drop in the second period and they came in quick succession. The CELTS tried some different defensive set-ups to stop the onslaught but some unfortunate ball watching led to the Aces pulling away from the CELTS despite baskets from Damien Hallett and Caroline Matthews. The Aces won the second period 15-7, bringing the half time score to Aces 26 - 17 CELTS.
The Cardiff CELTS were sorely missing their head coach Holly Hinchey (who was away playing with her CELTS womens team) but a stiff team talk and a redirection on defence from coaches for this match Caroline Matthews and Joanna Coates saw a re-invigorated CELTS team take to the floor for the third period.
The CELTS fought through the third period trading basket for basket with the experienced Aces team, with both Liam Holt and Caroline Matthews scoring consistently. The Cardiff team as a whole started to play and fight for the ball with their usual tenacity and they won the third period Aces 8 - 10 CELTS. Bringing the score to Aces 34 - 27 CELTS.
The fourth period saw a very aggressive Aces team bring a press to the game but the CELTS struggled through with further baskets from Matthews and Holt. Try as they might, however, the Cardiff CELTS could not quite recover the lead that the Aces' established in the second period and despite winning the fourth period Aces 6 - 8 CELTS the match ended with the Aces in the lead.
The final score was Aces 40 - 35 CELTS.
Overall it was a very tough and hard fought match. The newly formed Cardiff CELTS wheelchair basketball team learned some valuable lessons from the more experienced Bucks team. The team now has the opportunity to work on those issues before they meet the Aces again at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus on 21 January 2007 (tip off at 2pm). Once the CELTS had got the journey and early morning start out of their systems they began to play their usually assertive brand of basketball - which was very evenly matched with the more experienced and expertly coached Bucks Aces.
CELTS Scorers : Caroline Matthews 20, Liam Holt 11, Steve McGrath 2 and Damien Hallett 2.
The Cardiff CELTS wheelchair basketball team's next home match is against the West Coast Tornadoes who are so far unbeaten in the 2006/2007 season. The match is at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff on Saturday 14th October 2006. Tip off is at 5pm and entry is free.
Spectators are always more than welcome and the CELTS would really benefit from as much support as possible - so come along and support the only wheelchair basketball team in Wales.
For information, the Cardiff CELTS wheelchair basketball team has recently been re-named CELTS and used to be the Cardiff Bay Tigers. The change of name coincides with the team becoming part of the CELTS basketball academy which is based at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff.
Road Trip Photos :
Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Team win the fourth match of their inaugural season on Saturday 14th October 2006.
Third Division Match between Cardiff CELTS and the West Coast Tornadoes on Saturday 14th October 2006 at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff
Final Score : Cardiff CELTS 34 - 27 West Coast Tornadoes
Cardiff’s CELTS Wheelchair Basketball team win their fourth game of their first season in the Great Britain National League beating the West Coast Tornadoes 34 - 27 at the CELTS home venue, Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff.
The West Coast Tornadoes were able to field a team which was much taller than the new Cardiff team and their dominance was established immediately as they won the tip off. However, they failed to capitalize on this advantage and it was the CELTS captain, Liam Holt, who sunk the first two points for the home side. The Tornadoes were quick to counter but further baskets followed from the CELTS assistant coach and forward Caroline Matthews and new recruit Douglas Stone. The Tornadoes, however, managed to trade basket for basket with the CELTS and the first 10 minute period ended with the two teams level with 8 points each.
A much more aggressive Tornadoes side took the floor for the second quarter and they began to hustle and press the novice Cardiff team. The CELTS had shut down the Tornadoes inside game but they replied with some consistent outside shooting. The CELTS could, for the moment, not find an answer to the Tornadoes outside threat but some amazing outside shooting from the CELTS captain, Liam Holt, freethrow shooting from Douglas Stone and a lay-up from Wandersen Martinez kept the CELTS in the match. The Tornadoes went into the half time break only one point in the lead - the score being Tornadoes 18 - CELTS 17.
The CELTS head coach Holly Hinchey adjusted the home sides defence during the half time break, in order to deal with the Tornadoes outside shooting, and after an inspiring team talk the CELTS wheelchair basketball team took to the floor.
The third period proved to be an aggressive and hard fought exchange between these two closely matched teams. The Tornadoes intensified their press but the CELTS replied with a hustle of their own and the Tornadoes were the first to crumble. The Tornadoes picked out Matthews but the CELTS responded with fast breaks from Liam Holt and Damien Hallett. The Tornadoes were unable to reply whilst Doug Stone continued to cause chaos in their ranks and shut down their outside game. The CELTS pulled away from the Tornadoes and won the third quarter 9 - 5, bring the score at the end of that period to CELTS 26 - Tornadoes 23.
Both teams entered the fourth period with everything to play for but the CELTS began to run away with the game and quickly extended their lead to 8 points with baskets coming from Liam Holt, Douglas Stone and Caroline Matthews. Coach Hinchey further re-arranged the CELTS defence, with Liam Holt now hustling the Tornadoes primary outside shooter. The Tornadoes began to stage a come-back with a short run of two baskets but Matthews put the game out of their reach with a further 4 points and some tough last-minute defence from the CELTS prevented any further encroachment on their lead. The CELTS won the fourth period 8 - 4.
The final score was CELTS 34 - Tornadoes 27.
CELTS Scorers : Liam Holt 14, Caroline Matthews 11, Douglas Stone 4, Wandersen Martinez 2, Damien Hallett 2 and Steve McGrath 1.
Overall it was another hard fought and close match in the Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Team’s first season in the Great Britain National League. Three wins out of four matches is an amazing start for any new team entering a National League structure. The CELTS are continuing to learn from each game and their defence, in particular, has improved enormously.
This was another great team effort - and the "team" also includes the large home crowd that came to support the CELTS players. A big "thank you" goes out to all the friends and family and fellow team mates that came down to Coleg Glan Hafren to support the CELTS 3rd division team. Thanks also goes to the members of the CELTS womens (able-bodied) team who ran the table and stayed (after winning their match against Bristol Storm) to support the wheelchair team.
The Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Team is in action again on home ground next Saturday (21st October 2006) against Hampshire Harriers. The match is at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff and tip off is at 2pm. Entry is free - so come along and support the only wheelchair basketball team in Wales - the Cardiff CELTS.
Thanks also goes to our extremely grown-up and sensible table officials...
Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Team lose to Harriers by one point.
Third Division Match between Cardiff CELTS and the Hampshire Harriers on Saturday 21st October 2006 at Coleg Glan Hafren, Trowbridge Campus, Cardiff
Final Score : Cardiff CELTS 28 - 29 Hampshire Harriers
Saturday 21st September 2006 saw the Cardiff CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Club suffer its most frustrating defeat to date - losing at home by one point to the hugely experienced Hampshire Harriers.
The CELTS began very slowly (a lesson that must be learned for future matches) and the Harriers won the tip and took first blood getting the first points on the score board. The Harrier's had also done their homework on the new Cardiff team - they had identified the main CELTS threats and immediately set about picking those players out. On offence, the Harriers patiently picked apart the CELTS defence and secured themselves successive shots. In all, the Harriers completely dominated the CELTS in the first period and this was reflected in the score, with Harriers securing a ten point lead. CELTS 4 - 14 Harriers.
A dejected Cardiff team went back to the bench for a stern talk from Head Coach Holly Hinchey. Hinchey redirected the team's attention to its defence and the CELTS began to show, in the second period, their usual brand of tenacious defence. The whole emphasis of the game immediately shifted as the CELTS finally came to life and began to compete with the Harriers, with baskets coming from captain Liam Holt, assistant coach and player Caroline Matthews, Wandersen Martinez, Damien Hallett and Julie Salmon. The CELTS completely reversed their fortunes from the first period by winning the second quarter 10 - 6. This gave the CELTS a light at the end of the tunnel and brought the half time score to CELTS 14 - 20 Harriers.
Again the coaches focused the CELTS minds on their defence during the half time break and the third period saw the CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Team play some of their best defence to date. In particular Romeo Embolo played a vital defensive role and for short periods the CELTS defensive zone was totally impenetrable to the Harriers. The experienced of the long established Harriers, however, showed through and they introduced a press which had the desired effect in securing a number of turnovers from the new Cardiff team. In spite of this, the CELTS managed to win the third period 6 - 5 bringing the score to CELTS 20 - 25 Harriers.