Cobras-2 match 11 of 12   –   5/4/09

Report by Anthony Quinn

Despite some superb performances, it looks like Leicester Cobras Wheelchair Basketball club’s first and second team will both be denied promotion this year, by the narrowest of margins. The first team look like finishing joint second on points with Lothian, only to be  denied a place in the play-off’s due to basket difference.

At their final home games of the season on Sunday, both teams achieved excellent victories. Student event organiser Carnage UK presented the club with a generous cheque, in between the two games, to show their support. The money will go towards purchasing a new club trailer and a sports wheelchair for a developing second team player.

Leicester Cobras-2 - 52 v Maulers - 21

In the first match of the afternoon, Leicester Cobras second team took on Mansfield Maulers. In the first quarter Watkinson broke clear to open up the scoring for Mansfield Maulers. Cobras finally score when Abdullahi passes to Corney in a central position inside the key. After some wasted opportunities by both sides, Abdullahi weaves along the edge of the key and gives Cobras the lead. Maulers Captain Tyler’s powerful shot goes straight in to bring things level. It is end to end chances. Abdullahi misses but Corney backs him up and scores. With Mauler’s linking up and passing well, Foster holds off a player to interrupt their play as they threaten again. Cobras Tolley scores and Bramley’s shot is close. Abdullahi commits his first foul. Watkinson’s misses with his first penalty shot, but he takes his time with the second and coolly converts off the backboard. Foster links up well and Tolley scores. Abdullahi weaves into the key and a neat pass back to Tolley, she is on fire, planting in another superb shot. Maulers start to look confused in attack. Clarke commits a backing in foul. Watkinson fails to convert from the penalty spot, but Maulers Captain Tyler is quickest in, to convert from the rebound. Abdullahi continues to pick up baskets as Cobras end the quarter 16 to 7.

Second quarter Maulers Captain Tyler snatches the ball off Clarke. Bramley races clear, but fails to convert. Abdullahi is close to scoring from the penalty spot. There is good link up play between Brooks and Sheppard, Watkinson get in at the end of the court, but hits the side of the backboard. Clarke turning sideways in the key scores a superb basket. Foster retrieves a loose ball and releases it up court to Abdullahi who converts. Foster knocks the ball out of the hands of Northedge. Maulers call a time out. Both sides then struggle to get up to their opponents key and create any meaningful shooting opportunities. Foster links up well, again, and Abdullahi scores. Abdullahi misses but Clarke is there, gets the ball and scores, good support. Tolley retrieves a difficult ball off the floor and scores, to cheers from the home fans. Clarke intercepts a dangerous Maulers pass, gets the ball out of the key and Cobras are able to attack up court again. Tolley scores again, fouled by Brooks she misses with her single penalty shot. With Maulers failing to convert Cobras extend their lead 28 to 7.

Third quarter, two passes and Abdullahi waiting inside the key, scores easily. Corney commits a foul. Captain Tyler misses from the penalty spot, but later powers in a great shot. Cobras struggle to convert, until Abdullahi turns in the key and scores. Watkinson scores straight in with a spectacular shot from the edge of the key, applauded by the away bench. Abdullahi scores again. Cobras then struggle to get out of their own half. Maulers create several scoring opportunities Brooks is close to scoring. Continuing to control his team well, Mauler’s Captain finally scores with a long shot creeping over the rim. Cobras make a double substitution. Mauler’s Captain calls for his players to defend as Cobras threaten and Abdullahi scores. Watkinson races up court and scores, but Clarke immediately scores in reply. Under pressure Clarke converts again. At the end of a fast, exciting quarter Abdullahi fires in over a heavily defended key as Cobras’ push further ahead 42 to 15.

Final quarter both sides create opportunities but fail to convert early on. Watkinson, who has been a constant threat for Mauler’s up front, races up and scores. Abdullahi continues to get baskets to finish top scorer. Typical of the good spirit of his side, Mauler’s Captain Tyler amuses everyone with some humorous comments when he falls from his chair. It is then end to end baskets. Clarke, who has played impressively throughout, rolls up to the basket and scores easily. Brooks scores a well earned basket, on the nearside. Corney scores with a great shot. Watkinson scores again. After a superb performance up front  Tolley give Cobras victory 52 to 21. 

Maulers Captain and Coach Tyler said after the match “I’ve not seen a better performance this season and we were with only six players. It was our best first quarter this season. We were relaxed and our skills came to the fore and shone through. Unfortunately once we got a sniff of success, the occasion started to get the better of us, the players were trying too hard and taking long and over ambitious shots. We failed to play like we naturally do. We defended the key tight and broke out quickly with number 23, that was the secret to our success today.”

Cobras Andrew Corney said “It was alright today, but not at our normal tempo, we could have played better. There was good shooting from Mo and Brian and Helen played well scoring six baskets. Our passing and communication could have been better at times. We are up to third in the table and it was great to get over 50 points today.”

Having enjoyed the first match, Managing Director Paul Bahia and Area Manager Edward Hartley of Carnage UK, presented Mike Foster with a generous cheque of  £1795.00 for the club. A student brand, specialising in student events in 40 cities around the UK, where a T-shirt is the ticket to selected venues and night clubs. They organise themed nights like Super Heros, Doctors and Nurses and coming up soon a Baywatch event around the UK. More importantly they have agreed to take part in the Cobras challenge in August !

Cobras Mike Foster said “The money is much needed and will be used for purchasing a new club trailer and competition wheelchair for a player in the second team. During today’s match we tried out some new drills, but they only worked once or twice, the man out of the box drill should guarantee us a basket everytime. Despite some poor passing in the first half, we tidied things up and started moving the ball around more smoothly. Mo did well and Helen played remarkably well. We expected to beat Maulers today, but their number 23 was working very well and a constant threat getting around the key and in behind us, until we clamped down on him.”

Overall Cobras second squad has done very well this season, gelling together as a new unit. Developing some excellent new players – who have made impressive debuts and look good future prospects for next season. Cobras excellent coaching and hard training has paid off impressively this season.

Quarter Scores         Cobras-2       Maulers

1                                      16                       7

2                                      12                       0

3                                      14                       8

4                                      10                       6

Totals                              52                     21

Cobras-2 scorers were:

Moh Abdullah                   24

Helen Tolley                     12

Bryan Clarke                    10

Andy Corney                      6

Total                                 52

Cobras-2 team were:

Bryan Clarke, Sean Bramley, Mike Foster (Captain), Helen Tolley, Graham Forryan, Andy Corney, Moh Abdullah, George Bates and Sue Grant.

Return to: Match Reports 2008/09