Hornets: 86

Pheonix: 72

Hornets win the top of the table clash in a second half of scoring brilliance.

Both teams started with Christmas pudding still in their boots and it took 4 minutes before the scorer was troubled, Both teams missing easy shots. John Whelan opened 2010 with a text book jump shot and Sam Barnard added another, again a shot range jumper. But these were the only scores for the Hornets in 6 minutes of play as shot after shot failed to find the target. Fortunately the tight defence was holding and Phoenix failed to take the advantage. Zander Fyfe announced himself with an inch perfect 3 pointer for a narrow Hornet lead but this was clipped back to even scores at the end of a forgettable 1st quarter.

Hornet poor shooting continued into Q2, shot after shot, near and far, missing out as the Hornets only managed 1 point in 5 minutes and Phoenix built an 8 point lead on solid team play.  What a relief to see Guy Johnson pick up some rubbish around the rim and return with an and 1. Barney now seemed inspired to work 2 quick baskets in the low post and John scored another. Sam Bithell popped a pair from the line but Phoenix kept the lead with fine long shots. Hornets were now 5 down at half time having only scored 24 in the half.

Andy Rushton got going early in Q2 scoring quick points off his drive and Barney kept peppering away to bring the lead back to the Hornets only to see it disappear rapidly following a Technical Foul for too much referee advice. (queue coaches gnashing of teeth and a timeout with straight forward conversations!). Guy now turned the match, not only cleaning up Garbage but creating his own basket off a steal and finishing off fast breaks. Guy scored 8 points as the Hornets hit 13 in 3 minutes including a Tom Lee 3 pointer to finish the quarter, Andy Sienkiewicz cleaned the board at both ends to keep the ball from the Phoenix. Hornets up by 7.

Hornets immediately gave up 2 cheap baskets and Phoenix sniffed a chance, pilling on pressure via inside drives. Sam hit a 3 but the tide was turning and Phoenix took the lead. Hot shooting from Barney, Guy and Tom brought the lead back but the game was still tight. Neil Hawkins drove right through the zone for his favourite basket and the Hornets were slowly stretching a lead. Baskets came easier as Phoenix chased the game - Guy, Barney and Zander all scoring calmly as Hornets stretched the lead to 10 with 1 minute to play. Hornets were awarded 14 free throws in the last minute! A combination of Technical fouls and fouls to stop the clock - Tush scored 10 of these with Neil taing 2 and Hornets could now afford some defensive lapses as the game was won by 14 points on the back of a 62 point second half scoring bonanza.

Top Scorer - Tush  20 Points
Played Out of their skin - Sam and Neil did a great defensive job but the star was the “Garbage Man” - Guy cleaned up everything
Best Basket - Zander pulls down a rebound passes out to Sam who hits Tush on the break.Tush gives a one touch pass to Guy, who has made the length of the court in the blink of an eye, to finish on the sprint.
Must Improve - Listen to the play calls and know the play calls - so many plays called and not executed.

Oh there will be a team punishment for the Technical foul at the training session!