Holmes Chapel: 75

Falcons: 78

Hornets see a big lead wasted to lose their first match of the season.

Hornets started very positively Sam Barnard looked impossible to stop with accurate jump shops always seeming to land. Andy Rushton scored inside and outside, Tom Lee landed a well worked drive and when Danny Wareham sneaked a trademark drive in the Hornets were up 20-5 with only 6 minutes having been played. From this point the game changed and the Falcons slowly got themselves back into the match with some excellent long range shots and fast breaks - helped enormously by the Hornets making a series of unforced errors. Tush scored the last shot of the quarter but by then the Hornet lead was down to 7 points 22-15.

Danny opened up Q2 but then defensive errors let the Falcons score a break of 6 points. John Whelan opened his account from the free throw line and Sam Bithell executed a perfect crossover to drive to the rim but the game was nip and tuck now as baskets were traded. Falcons landed back to back 3 pointers to briefly take the lead only to be countered by Jump shots from Barney and John. Falcons took the lead again and it took two quick baskets at the end from Tush to give the Hornets the lead on half time 41-39.

Hornets attacked the low post in Q3 and found success with Guy Johnson, Andy Sienkiewicz and John all scoring from close in. Tush scored of a number of drives and the Hornet lead was rebuilt to 8 points. Again the Falcon’s outside shooting was accurate but a buzzer beater 3 pointer from Sam Bithell took the Hornets into the last quarter 6 points up.

Hornets committed a number of fouls early in Q4 and the Falcons applied pressure from the line. Falcons scored quickly and took the lead again early in the quarter. With 3 minutes left a 3 pointer from Tom followed by rebound return from Barney leveled the match. Now both teams upped their defensive intensity and baskets dried up. Falcons scored and were then put on the line with the Hornets in foul trouble. Only one free throw was scored leaving the Hornets with an opportunity to level with the last shot of the game. Sam took a well worked 3 pointer and the Hornet bench held it’s breath - only to let it out with a sigh as the ball on the rim to miss.

Top Scorer - Tush  26 Points
Played Out of their skin - Barney tremendous work in the low post
Best Basket - Tush passes to Barney and sprints down the lane Barney gives an inch perfect assist for Tush to finish
Must Improve - Familiarise yourself with the court during warm up - stepping on the line 6 times in a match is 6 offences that end in nothing!