SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15th

SURESHOT UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL CUP - SECOND ROUND

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 88 WANDSWORTH STING 59

On a busy day with all four female teams in action, Southend Swifts under 18 opened proceedings with a second round cup match against Wandsworth Sting at Eastwood High School.  The South London team have a new look line-up this season and currently sit in second place in the league table. Southend made a positive start, taking a 7-4 lead, with Francesca Whitby and Jennie Rodgers sharing the points.  A Rodgers three-pointer and a basket from Katie Doubleday took the score to 12-9 before Swifts scored nine straight on the way to a 21-11 first quarter lead. A 9-6 spell for Wandsworth brought them back into the match at 27-20 and despite some excellent work from Whitby and captain Rebecca Brough, the margin was further reduced to 36-31 with four minutes to play.  But over the next four minutes the home side stamped their authority on proceedings with a 13-1 stretch to lead 49-32 at the half time interval. 

Southend were in no mood to relinquish control and a 10-2 run in the last four minutes of the third quarter gave them a 67-44 lead going into the final period.  An 8-2 stretch gave Sting some glimmer of hope but nine straight for Swifts, with three-pointers from Doubleday and Hannah Culwick, took the lead to 27 at 78-51 and although the visitors had eight of the next ten, the Essex side scored the last eight points to secure a very good win by 88 points to 59.  Whitby 23 points, Doubleday 14 and Rodgers 13 leading the scoring. 

UNDER 14 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

CHILTERN PUMAS 30  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 123 

Whilst the three older girls team played at home, Southend Swifts under 14 team made the journey into Buckinghamshire to take on Chiltern Pumas.  Southend had two convincing wins under their belt and were looking to build on their early season success. But they were to get a nasty shock when they conceded the first six points as they failed to score in the first three minutes.  But a basket from Jess Holland and a Beth Robson three-pointer were the start of a run of 27 unanswered points that completely changed the match and after conceding one point, made the final six points to lead 33-7 at the end of the first quarter.With Holland in irrepressible form, 16 points in the first half, the gap continued to increase and with good scoring from Sophie Hankin, Shannon Matthews and Amy Rodgers, a 19-2 run over the final five minutes gave Swifts a 62-13 half time lead. 

Still there was no let-up and with Robson and Rodgers scoring at will, the margin went over 60 at 86-24 before Pumas had the final three points of the third quarter.  But the final period was just a barrage as the young ladies ran in 30 straight points in a seven minute spell to secure a 123-30 victory; the third week running that they have scored more than 120 points.  There were six players in double figures led by Rodgers 39 and Robson 17, both club career highs, Hankin with 22 and Holland 19.

 UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION 1

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 96  HERTFORDSHIRE WARRIORS 38    

When all of your club mates have played a number of fixtures, some as many as five, and you have reached the middle of November without having played a competitive match, there can be little doubt as to the level of frustration felt by the Southend Swifts under 16 girls team.  The question was whether they could channel their frustration into a positive performance or would they simply try too hard to succeed. Five minutes into their match against Hertfordshire Warriors, the answer was clear.  Swifts led by 12 points to nil and that could have been even more with a little more match sharpness.  Their pressing defence caused numerous turnovers and with Kitty Hall and Maisie Elston scoring freely, the lead at the end of the first quarter stood at 25-8. The same two players shared their teams first eight points of second period and a fast break lay-up from Lauren Tate kept the scoreboard moving.  Both Abbey Keys and Francesca Moody were playing outstanding defence and with the fast-improving Emily Hankin taking rebounds at both ends of the court, the margin increased to 49-19 at the midway break. 

Ten unanswered points, led by Katie Holland converting some fast breaks, took the lead to 40 and with Grace Keys and Hannah Gowland scoring well, the lead at three-quarter time was 71-29.  Swifts gave their younger players some valuable playing time with Emily Watts doing particularly well and Sarah Cozens finding her scoring range as the score moved out to 82-38 with two minutes remaining.  The reintroduction of the starting players saw a remarkable run of 14 straight points that left Swifts with a 96-38 victory.  Leading scorers were Elston with a club high 26, Holland and Hankin on 14 and Hall with 13. 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 106  HERTFORDSHIRE WARRIORS 57 

After the success of their younger team-mates, it was left for Southend Swifts senior team to make a clean sweep on the day when they met Hertfordshire Warriors at Eastwood School. Both teams were looking for their first victory of the season at this level. Southend started well, taking a 5-0 lead, and with Rebecca Brough, Jennie Rodgers and Francesca Whitby very active on both offence and defence the margin increased to 14-4 after five minutes.  A 9-2 spell, with five from Hannah Culwick, stretched the gap and three-pointers from Bintou Traore and Rodgers triggered a 10-2 stretch that gave the hosts a 33-10 first quarter lead. 11 straight points, with five from Kelly Matthews, made the lead a remarkable 34 after just two minutes of the second quarter, and despite constant changes of personnel, the intensity level was maintained throughout the period.  Ellie Shaxon was having her most dominant display of the season and she helped her team to a 62-29 half time lead. 

Unsurprisingly the third quarter was a much tamer affair from both teams.  The play was much more disjointed, with only Rodgers and Culwick finding the basket with any confidence; the score with one stanza remaining standing at 78-44.  But the last 10 minutes would see Swifts play more fluently, with Whitby and Traore constantly getting easy scoring opportunities.  The score edged towards the magical three figures, which was duly reached with two minutes to play.  All that remained was for an outrageous tip in from Whitby on the final hooter that gave her team an excellent 106-57 win that gets them off the mark in the senior division.  Whitby 22 points, Rodgers 21, Traore 13 and Shaxon 12 leading the scorers. 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16th

MENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 95  HERTFORDSHIRE WARRIORS 55 

After a close defeat in their previous outing, Southend Swifts under 18 boys looked to get back onto winning ways when they entertained Hertfordshire Warriors at Eastwood High School.  The visitors were looking for their first victory of the season having suffered five defeats; albeit three of them by less than 10 points. Southend made a good start, taking an 11-2 lead, and with Ben Tipper showing an excellent shooting touch the margin soon became double digit.  Hertfordshire battled hard with some good shooting before five points from Tipper and two from Jamie Cooper helped the home side to a 29-18 first quarter lead. The second period saw a dramatic change as Swifts kept their opponents scoreless for seven minutes whilst scoring 14 themselves to put the game beyond doubt at 43-18.  Three-pointers from Alex Gilbert and Tipper continued the barrage and at the half way interval the score stood at 53-27. The third quarter again saw good concentration from the hosts and with Josh Gridley, Joe Hart and captain James Gaskin finding their range, the gap increased to 82-38 going into the final 10 minutes.  With the starting players taking a well-deserved rest, Warriors came back into proceedings but it was never going to be enough as Southend ended with a comfortable 95-55 victory.  Tipper with a career high 30 points leading the way with Hart on 25. 

BOYS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 81  ESSEX & HERTS LEOPARDS 62 

After three tough defeats, Southend Swifts under 16 boys looked to get off the mark in the very competitive Premier Division South when they welcomed Essex and Herts Leopards.  Leopards traditionally have a very strong junior programme so Swifts had to expect a difficult encounter. From the start Southend made their intentions clear as they went into a 9-2 lead.  But the visitors showed great resolve and scored the next six points to reduce the deficit to one.  Despite good scoring from captain Joe Hart, the hosts could not get away and at the end of the first quarter the game was tied at 21. But after conceding the first basket of the second period, Swifts exploded with 13 straight points with Hart contributing 11.  E & H made a three-point play but four points from Solomon Ogunyinka restored the initiative and at half time the home side's lead was 43-30. 

Some excellent defence stopped Leopards getting open looks and with Thulani Sibanda and Oliver Crussell taking over the scoring reins the lead extended to 58-34.  Further good shooting from Alex Smith and Alex Gilbert maintained the momentum and with one stanza remaining the lead was 66-41. Southend took the opportunity to give all of their players some valuable playing time and Alistair Smith and Billy Hale made their way onto the scoresheet as their team ended up victors by 81 points to 62, with Hart on 34, Crussell 13, Sibanda 11 and Gilbert 10. 

WOMENS NATIONAL TROPHY

WELLINGBOROUGH PHOENIX 72  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 50 

After six victories for the club at the weekend, the final game saw the senior women travel to Wellingborough Phoenix in the National Trophy.  This was the third meeting between the teams in just six weeks of the season so far. Both sides made a tentative start with Southend leading 5-3 after four minutes but Phoenix took the initiative scoring 11 straight.  Swifts replied with six of their own and at the end of the first quarter the hosts led by just 18-15. The second period saw a poor performance from the Essex side as they failed to convert relatively easy scoring opportunities that saw them concede the first nine points.  Shots that would normally be made were disappointingly missed and at half time the home side led 36-20. 

The third quarter, however, saw a much more concerted effort from Swifts as they battled to get back into the game.  The deficit was kept under control but this was marred by an injury to Francesca Whitby which required hospital attention; Wellingborough increasing their lead to 50-31 with one stanza remaining. But the Essex team were determined to give a good account of themselves.  Hannah Culwick began to find her range and with Amy Andrews and Bintou Traore scoring over much taller opponents the margin got down to 14 with a 6-0 run.  But they could get no closer as Swifts conceded the last eight points to lose 72-50.