Hornets launch an impressive fightback to take a Q4 lead against Rainford only to see the game taken away from them.

The Hornets had burst out of the blocks in the previous 2 matches but it looked like they'd forgotten to bring the blocks with them at the start of this match! Tight Rainford defence combined with a Hornet propensity to stand on the out of bound line let Rainford take an early lead, only Guy Johnson from the inside and 2 excellent 3 pointers from Sam Bithell kept the Hornets in the game for the first five minutes. Bench changes saw more offensive passing and Jon Print found his range to narrow the gap, Paul Coleman used his muscle to grab rebounds and score from the line and Tom Lee sunk a long range 3 pointer to close the gap - but the Hornets were still 5 down at the end of the quarter.

Tom sunk another 3 to start Q2 and then the big boys Sam Barnard, John Whelan, Guy and Gary Masson all started to make a difference, particularly in securing defensive rebounds. John and Barney scored back to back to pull the Hornets to within one point but still the Hornets kept turning over the ball, stepping out of bounds and passing to players who weren't ready to receive. Rainford scored two quick baskets to take a 7 point lead into half time.

The Hornets opened Q3 with a full court press defence and this allowed Danny Wareham to score off a steal. But Rainford are a well drilled, experienced team and they soon adjusted and some slick passing movements saw them open an 11 point lead mid way through the quarter. The Hornets switched to a zone defence and dried up the Rainford scoring, while drives at the other end saw the Hornets go to the Free throw line for 8 shots - unfortunately only sinking one point out of them all. Sam Bithell had only just crossed the Half way line when with one second left he had to shoot. The buzzer started and finished while the ball was still in the air and the ball "swished" for the biggest 3 of the season. The Hornets had fought back and were only 5 down again now.

The Hornets stepped up the intensity. Tom and Danny plopped 3 pointers and Barney and Jon scored off drives to give the Hornets a 3 point lead with 6 minutes to play. Rainford fought back with some well worked drives and it took yet another Tom Lee 3 pointer to grab the lead again for the Hornets. Rainford showed all their guile now, cleverly dragging fouls out of the Hornets and punishing them from the free throw line. Hornet frustration boiled over and Jon picked up a T when shouting at his colleagues. Rainford scored the frees and off the possession given to them. But the Hornets weren't dead yet and raced to the other end to set Sam up for another 3 point attempt. Unfortunately the Referee confused the 3 point line and the out of bound line to hand the ball back to Rainford. Tom Lee landed his fifth 3 pointer of the night to leave the Hornets having to steal the ball to win.

Rainford were too good at protecting the ball though and scored off resulting free throws to secure a 6 point victory.