The Storm blow Holmes Chapel off the court in the last quarter to steal a thrilling match.

Tickets ought to be sold for the matches between High Peak and Holmes Chapel they are never dull and always played in a friendly, competitive spirit. The Hornets had a short bench but didn't need much more in a first half of brilliant Basketball.

Q1 started with Jon Print dominating from down town and raining 3 pointers at will against the Storm. He slotted 3 in quick succession with the rumour being that he took the third shot from the car park! John Whelan contributed with points and also the start of the biggest rebound count of his career. When the press defence was tried against them the Hornets passed smoothly around with Danny Wareham and Sam Bithell picking up well worked lay ups and the Hornets finished 5 up after scoring 24 in the quarter.

Both defences settled in Q2 and play was tighter but the Hornets still found gaps, James Howard scored a well work jumped shot and Guy Johnson rebounded with his "fighter pilot" reactions to land some close in baskets and draw a lot of fouls to him. Even the old warrior, Gary Masson, was getting in the act picking up stolen ball to slot away safe points. The Hornets finished the Half 9 points up and with Phillips, the Storms centre, already in foul trouble. The best half of Basketball the Hornets have played all season - would surely lay the path to victory!

Q3 started with Jon Print yet again showing off his long shot prowess and every time the Storm tried to make inroads the Hornets worked the ball to good shooting positions to keep the scoreboard ticking. The work rate of all the Hornets was phenomenal particularly from Guy and John who battled for every rebound. The Hornets edged even further ahead and were now 14 points up going into the last quarter.

Danny started Q4 with a trademark "bomb" and with 9 minutes to go the Hornets were 17 points up - surely now it was a stroll to victory! But no one had given the script to The Storm. Coach McGarry had used his long bench wisely during the match and was now able to play his first 5 against a tiring Hornet team, who were trying to play the end game from too far out and looking like Heavyweight boxers in the last round - desperate to hear the bell. The Hornets were faced with a press defence and were caught in possession a couple of times and the Hornet cause wasn't helped with an unnecessary Technical foul. The Storm smelt blood and Dave Green turned on a virtuoso performance of shooting and assists to lead the chargeback. The Hornets were trying desperately to play down the clock but the Storm seemed to be able to score at will and with two minutes to go the Storm took the lead.

The scores were levelled when Guy Johnson coolly landed two free throws before Green again slotted in from close range. Guy again pulled the lead back to the Hornets to leave the Hornets one up with 50 seconds to play but the Storm in possession. Clowes got free to score and as the Hornets tried to get quickly into a scoring area they were caught in possession again and a long pass to Clowes was made for him to put the final finish to a 32 point quarter for the Storm. Everyone left drained, physically and emotionally.

High Peak v Holmes Chapel