| 15:51 14/03/2008 |
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| Varsity 2008 The Light Blues tipped off against Oxford with a game plan detailed by head coach Angelo Favia: play tough man-to-man defence and secure an early lead. After the first quarter, however, it became clear that this strategy would not be easy to implement. Great defence by both teams meant that the score was only 7–5, in Oxford's favour. During the second quarter, the Blues struggled against Oxford's zone. Atticus Honore and Richard Martin were able to find holes and drive to the basket to initiate the Blues scoring. Nevertheless, Cambridge's big men, Leopold Parts and Hugo Halferty-Drochon, and guards, Sunith de Fonseka and Chris Bohn, struggled to find their groove. Substitutions gave Evan Hall, Domantas Jankauskas and Nikos Bamiedakis a chance to reduce the points' margin. Bamiedakis finished the game with 10 offensive rebounds and 12 points. After a late third quarter surge, the Blues had reduced the Oxonian lead to 10. Stepping up their defence, the Blues continued to chip away at their opponent's lead. With two minutes left to play Cambridge had battled to within six points of Oxford, and the opposing team's fans had assumed an eerie silence. In the final minutes, however, Oxford managed to convert crucial free throws. The final score was Cambridge 61 - Oxford 73. The Cambridge Lions went into the Varsity game on the back of a successful season, but wary of an Oxford team from the division above that would present a stiff challenge. Oxford had a brighter start, moving the ball quickly, forcing fouls and making the most of their free-throws. But the Lions responded with sharp shooting from guard Stuart Lee. The coach, Chris Ashwin, encouraged the team and pointed out holes in the opposing zone defence which the post-players Robin Fletcher and Andrew Northern were able to exploit to bring Cambridge level. The Lions' defence settled down and Oxford found it difficult to get easy shots, whilst Christoph Mueller put his effective jump shot into use. At half time, the Lions were 5 points ahead. The Lions started the second half well, with the speedy Yi Chung Ng scoring on a fast break. Owen Weller began to run the show with an excellent three pointer and hook shot and there were also good scoring contributions from Simon Proffitt and Nick Bell. The Cambridge fans were in full voice as the final quarter approached, lifting their team. With the captain, Takuma Goto adding energy to the defence and Stuart Lee continuing to work hard and score points, Cambridge stretched their lead to 10 points. However, in the final minutes of the game, things took a drastic turn. The Cambridge offence ran out of steam while an athletic Oxford team managed to turn things around, making a flurry of shots in quick succession. The game started to run away from Cambridge in the final two minutes as the referees' decisions went against them and it ended with Oxford winning by seven points. The final score was 70-63. Despite the loss, the Lions can be proud of having had their best performance of the season, leading for the majority of the game, and competing to the end. The squad has worked hard during the year, had lots of memorable team moments, and improved quickly thanks to the coaching of Chris Ashwin. |
| 11:29 30/11/2007 |
| Match Report: Nottingham 1st
A small team of seven Blues players made the trip to face Nottingham’s 1st team. A lack of height was visible early on as the Blues were out-rebounded on both the offensive and defensive ends. The much improved Nottingham team held a solid lead at the half. Despite an attempt to regain momentum, the Nottingham defence proved formidable. After a disappointing showing, the Blues lost, 60-84. |
| 08:42 27/11/2007 |
| Match Report: Oxford Brookes 1st
The Blues took to the court in Oxford with an air of seriousness. A win would mean that the league championship was still under contention; a loss would place the Blues in the middle of their division. In the first three minutes of the game, Oxford Brookes’ team demonstrated its strengths. A fast-paced offense as well as sharp outside shooting left the Blues with a 6 point deficit. Brookes’ lead extended to ten after the first quarter, reached 16 in the second and finally settled at 13 at the half. Despite the early disappointment, the Blues mounted a ferocious comeback. Leopold Parts battled on the inside outscoring and outrebounding both of Oxford’s centres. Nikos Bamiedakis and Atticus Honore pounded the Oxford defence, repeatedly penetrating to its core and scoring. Richard Martin, who also runs for Cambridge University athletics, outpaced his defender and caught several fast-break passes to contribute easy buckets. Post play by Hugo Halferty Drochon, Evan Hall and Damjan Pfajfar also lifted the Blues to a new level of play. At the end of the third quarter, the Blues were within two points of the now tottering Brookes squad. Sensing their opponents fear, the truculent Cambridge side continued to increase the pressure. Sunith DeFonseka and Chris Bohn spearheaded a zone defence which left Oxford with few scoring opportunities. With one minute in regular play, the score was tied. A foul call against the Blues gave the Brookes two free shots, and a steal rewarded the opponents with another two points. The final score was Blues 74, Brookes 78. |
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