Issue 150

UWS net victory

04th December 2006

Swansea and Southampton contested an even game in the Sketty Lane sports centre on Wednesday 22 November. The first quarter started at a frantic pace with accurate shooting skills on display. The score line was kept low as both teams displayed wellorganised defences, Swansea's Bramble used his height well to block several Southampton attacks.

The beginning of the second quarter, with a tight 17-16 score line, finally saw the game open up with Swansea displaying a more physical game, while their visitors showed some calm, calculated build-up play. The hosts appeared to benefit as they held a ten point cushion throughout most of the quarter with five points in quick succession from Tsolarakis leaving the scores at 43-34 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Southampton's clever play began to draw a sloppy fouls from Swansea, which generated many points and they started clawing their way to closer to being level. This eventually happened with only five minutes gone in the period. However, Bramble responded with a hot streak of five points in five minutes towards the end of the quarter leaving the hosts once again dominant with a seven point lead going into the last ten minutes of the game.

Swansea were caught cold at the start of the last quarter and after a few minutes the scores were tied at 67-67. Both sides dug deep in an attempt to settle the game with a massive sixty three points being scored during the last quarter, as the defenses started to tire and more empahsis was placed on scoring rather than protecting their own basket.

A thrilling climax in the last minute saw Peel looking to have won the game after securing four points for Southampton, however these were quickly cancelled out by Boboirhidze and Tsolarakis efforts. With seconds remaining, Kenward had a perfect opportunity to seal the game for the visitors with two free throws but saw both bounce off the rim allowing Swansea to avoid the sucker punch and force the game into overtime.

The game was still tied halfway into the five extra minute period when the home side scored two quick baskets after an effective time-out called by Captain Greenley. Davies secured the game in the final thirty seconds following a well-executed team move.

Ge-Uauglyn Bramble, highest scorer in the game with 30 points, was pleased with his team-mates: "We played very much as a team. This is a very big turning point for us- we have now won three games in a row after losing the first three." Bramble has represented Wales in national competition for the last two years and is eagerness to do so again this season.

He also spoke of how many of the Swansea team have the talent to play for Wales, "We have had quite a few players make the national team, I feel that we deserve to be better recognised."

The side are also in need of more players, so if you are interested in playing basketball get in touch with the AU.

Andy Williams