CELTS 1
1st Division Match Reports
2015/2016
The newly promoted CELTS First Team open their First Division 2015-2016
season with a difficult match against the London Thunder at Talybont Sports
Centre, Cardiff Uni on Sunday 4th October 2015.
Final score : CELTS 1 38 - 53 London Thunder
The CELTS first team are newly promoted to Division One and although they have lost GB
International Phil Pratt, they have been lucky enough to gain three new players, Pauline
McDonald, Pete Bull and Lee Matthews who all made their CELTS 1 debut in today's match
against London Thunder.
The CELTS knew it was going to be a tough first encounter, with the Thunder finishing top
of First Division South last year, and started strongly with the CELTS' point guard, Liam
Holt opening the CELTS scoring for the 2015-2016 season. The two teams traded
baskets evenly with the Thunder for the first five minutes before the Thunder found
their stride and their forwards, Ian Harvey and Wayne Virgo, began to score at a
pace that the CELTS struggled to find an answer for. The CELTS' hustle was
struggling with the Thunder's ball handling prowess and the home side dropped back
into a strong zone. By the end of the first quarter, however, the Thunder had
established an early lead of 20-6 over the home team. Baskets had dropped for the
CELTS' Holt, Mike Carruthers and new signing Pauline McDonald.
The CELTS came out with a new combination of players for the second quarter and
Owain Taylor had an instant impact upon coming into the game. Taylor scored 5
points with further baskets from Tom Seaborne and Carruthers and suddenly the
CELTS had narrowed the gap to 9 points. The Thunder had to break the CELTS
momentum and a smartly called time out led to Harvey adding further points to the
Thunder scoreline. Holt was able to respond with another basket for the CELTS and
the home side managed to narrowly win the second period 11-10, going into the half
time break trailing 17-30.
CELTS' Coach Caroline Matthews continued to try new line ups through the third
period and the Cardiff side responded fantastically well. The two teams were locked
in battle and the game raced from end to end with neither the Thunder or the CELTS
able to pull away from the other. The CELTS' Holt, Carruthers and Seaborne all
contributed to the scoreline, ably supported by the CELTS other new signing, Pete
Bull who contributed 4 points in the quarter. The Thunder won the third period 11-9
and went into the last period leading 41-26.
The CELTS knew they had a huge mountain to climb but they never gave up and, as
the Thunder began to tire and lost Virgo to foul trouble, the CELTS began to secure
fast break opportunities which were ably converted. The two teams fought hard to
the very final seconds and the final period ended with both teams having scored 12
points each. The CELTS' Seaborne, Harri Jenkins and Matthews all added to the
final score.
Final Score : CELTS 1 38 - 53 London Thunder
CELTS Scorers : Tom Seaborne - 8; Liam Holt - 6; Caroline Matthews - 6; Mike
Carruthers - 5; Owain Taylor - 5; Pete Bull - 4; Pauline McDonald - 2 and Harri
Jenkins - 2 points.
The only thing that the CELTS could be sure about in advance of this game was that
it was going to be a tough match. The London Thunder had a number of very strong
players and had nearly gained promotion to the Premier Division last season. The
CELTS are newly promoted to the first Division and are learning to play with a new
line up of players. CELTS Coach Caroline Matthews was really pleased with the
contribution made by every member of the squad and there were lots of positives to
take away from the game. There were some flashes, within the match, of great
things to come as the CELTS squad grows together over this season. We would like
to thank the Thunder for a hard but fairly fought match and look forward to seeing
them again later in the season.
The CELTS first and second teams are both in action again next Sunday (11th
October 2015) at our new match venue - University of South Wales Sports Centre,
Caerleon Campus, Lodge Road, Newport, NP18 3QT. CELTS 2 will be taking on
Cornwall Cougars at 1.20pm, followed by CELTS 1 who will be taking on the
Birmingham Blackcats at 3pm.
CELTS 1 know the Blackcats well as both teams were promoted from the Second
Division at the end of last season and we are looking forward to meeting our friends
from Birmingham again next weekend. A noisy home crowd always helps us - so
please come along to support us - ENTRY IS FREE - and you're sure of a great
afternoon's entertainment!!
If you want any more information about the CELTS, you can follow our progress and
find out loads more about the club and this fantastic sport on the Club's website www.cardiffwheelchairbasketball.co.uk
Match Report by Caroline Matthews
The CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Club's First Team secure their first win of
the 2015-2016 season, having been newly promoted to the First Division,
against the Blackcats at home on Sunday 11th October 2015
Final score : CELTS 1 37 - 33 Blackcats
The CELTS have met the Birmingham Blackcats a number of times over the past
few years with both teams having been relegated from Division 1 and immediately
securing promotion to Division 1 again during the 2014-2015 season. The two teams
are always fairly evenly matched, every encounter leads to an exciting game - and
this match was no exception.
This match was played at Caerleon University, which is the new venue for the
CELTS home matches in the 2015/2016 season. The CELTS forward, Tom
Seaborne, took the tip against the Blackcats incredibly tall centre, Rob Smith and the
two sides were quickly locked in battle to establish an early lead. The Blackcats were
the first to put points on the board whilst the CELTS were struggling to get used to
the rings in their new home court. However, after a few tense minutes, the CELTS
found their stride and began to take the momentum. Baskets fell for the CELTS'
Owain Taylor, Mike Carruthers and Player/Coach Caroline Matthews and the home
team went into the first break leading 10-7.
The CELTS adjusted their tactics and came out with a new guard-focussed line for
the second period but the home side continued to struggle with the Caerleon rings
and Coach Matthews was forced to adjust play whilst the Blackats clawed their way
back into the game. Further baskets dropped for Owain Taylor who was proving
unstoppable in the key, CELTS' Point Guard Liam Holt and new signing Pete Bull.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to stop the come back staged by the Blackcats who,
by half time, had secured a narrow 23-20 lead.
Coach Matthews and Assistant-Coach Steve McGrath reviewed the tactics during
the half time break and the CELTS came roaring back into the match in the third
period. The CELTS had changed their offensive and defensive tactics and it caught
the Blackcats off guard who only managed two baskets from their centre, Smith, in
the whole ten minute period. The home side's Harri Jenkins went on an amazing layup scoring spree and was ably supported with further baskets from Taylor, Matthews
and Tom Seaborne. The CELTS had won the period 14-4 and went into the final
period with a 34-27 lead.
The Blackcats, however, refused to give up and the final ten minute period became a
ferocious power struggle between the two sides. The away side imposed a press but
were unable to stop the CELTS and sheer force of will exerted by both sides resulted
in a very low scoring fourth period. The Blackcats' Smith and the CELTS'
Player/Coach Caroline Matthews scored all of their respective team's points in last
period and, whilst the Blackcats were able to recover some of their deficit, it was too
little too late and the CELTS ran out the clock to secure their first win of the 20152016 season.
Final score : CELTS 1 37 - 33 Birmingham Blackcats
CELTS scorers : Owain Taylor - 12; Caroline Matthews - 9; Harri Jenkins - 6; Liam
Holt - 4 and Mike Carruthers, Tom Seaborne and Pete Bull with 2 points each.
This was the second match for the CELTS First Team since securing their return to
the First Division and it was the first match the CELTS had played at their new home
match venue (Caerleon University). The unfamiliar rings caused more than a few
issues for the home side but once the CELTS had settled into their game, there was
some fantastically unselfish basketball on display. Player/coach Caroline Matthews
was extremely pleased with the effort put in by every single one of the CELTS
players and commented that this hard fought and close win was the result of real
team play from the CELTS. The Blackcats gave the CELTS team the tough match
that the Cardiff side have come to expect and it generated the usual fast paced and
exciting game that everyone enjoys. We wish the Blackcats well and look forward to
seeing them again later this season.
The CELTS Wheelchair Basketball Club's next home matches are at home (Uni of
South Wales Sports Centre, Caerleon Campus, Lodge Road, Newport, NP18 3QT)
on Sunday 1st November 2015. CELTS 2 will be in action first (1.20pm tip) against
Plymouth Storm, followed by CELTS 1 taking on the Blackhawks (3pm tip). Both
games are sure to be exciting encounters and ENTRY IS FREE!!! Please come
along to support us - a noisy home crowd always helps!!
Now is the perfect time to get involved!! So, why not get in touch!?!?
Match Report by Caroline Matthews