Two weakened teams battled out a high scoring contest with the YMCA showing, in the end, why they are unbeaten and at the top of the league.

Both Teams fielded only 7 players, unfortunately the Hornets bench was made up of the "Pensioners" and the lack of bench strength was ultimately to be the downfall of the Hornets.

Q1 started brightly with both teams playing excellent Basketball. John Whelan and Guy Johnson scored well worked baskets to leave the Hornets just ahead half way through the quarter but excellent outside shooting from the Y got them back into the lead and Gary Masson cut the lead to 3 points with a huge 3 pointer on the quarter buzzer.

Guy and John again combined well at the start of the second and the YMCA lead was slowly chipped away. A 3 pointer from Sam Bithell halfway through the quarter tied up the scores and then yet again some excellent shooting from Hilton for the YMCA put them back into the lead. Danny Wareham weaved through the YMCA defence twice towards the end of the half to leave the Hornets trailing by 5 at half time.

Paul Coleman scored 5 quick points at the start of Q3 to narrow the gap to just 2 points, but the Hornets were blowing hard with the effort they were putting into the match now and they quickly fell into foul trouble. Sam and John landed well work jump shots but the YMCA were starting to squeeze the life out of the Hornets and turnovers from the Hornets were helping them.

The Hornets battled gamely in Q4 and never gave up, John Whelan in particular showing a never say die attitude with 9 points in the quarter. But foul trouble and fitness handed the quarter to the YMCA with Plummer scoring well worked baskets from the centre and the YMCA eventually ran out comfortable winners.

http://www.holmeschapelbasketball.co.uk/match_reports/YMCA_21-11-07.php