Issue 155

Basketball bravery

08th May 2007

Cardiff 62 - Swansea 60

This years men's basketball match was one of the closest matches of the day, providing nail biting action right down to the closing seconds. Both teams played well, though Swansea should be given more credit for having endured the whole match with the same five players, whereas Cardiff were regularly substituting players to keep their team fresh. This makes Swansea's narrow defeat even harder to swallow in a match which they deserved to have won.

Swansea made a promising start winning an early penalty, although they failed to capitalise on their opportunity. Cardiff then surged and were clearly dominating Swansea as they struggled to get into their stride. Cardiff scored an impressive three point shot and ended the first quarter with a reasonable lead of eleven points to Swansea's five.

The beginning of the second quarter brought yet more pressure from Cardiff who took advantage of Swansea, who were still struggling to compose themselves. Once Cardiff had possession of the ball Swansea found it increasingly difficult to regain control. Nearing the end of the quarter, however, Swansea began to turn the game around. After winning a couple of penalties and an impressive three points by captain Ben Greenley they soon gained the confidence they needed. The quarter ended far more positively on 32-25 to Cardiff.

The third quarter offered further excitement, with Swansea continuing to up the pressure on Cardiff.

Swansea quickly won a couple of penalties and narrowed Cardiff's lead to five points. They continued the pressure and within the opening four minutes they had raised their score to 40 points. The competition was becoming increasingly tight with each team clawing back points and the lead constantly changing.

In the eighth minute, the fire alarm went off at a crucial moment for Swansea. Yet despite the distraction, they were forced to play on and take the penalties that they had been awarded. Towards the end of the quarter Cardiff were beginning to change players, and although some of Swansea's players were beginning to feel the onset of cramp they continued. By the closing stages of the quarter Swansea was up five points, 46-51 to Swansea.

The final quarter provided yet more excitement as both teams pushed hard for a win.

The pace of the match had slowed significantly, yet the pressure from both sides continued leading to a draw at 54 points a piece. The match continued with both teams increasing their scores, with two and a half minutes to go Swansea had a narrow lead of one point.

With only seconds to go Cardiff clawed back two points; by which stage both teams were having to push through the pain and both sets of supporters were on the edge of their seats, some being unable to watch. With forty seconds to go Swansea called a time out to try and get the two points that they needed to win. Despite their best efforts they were unable to capitalise on their chance and Cardiff were awarded a penalty. Cardiff scored and ended Swansea's hope of victory, the final score coming to 62-60 to Cardiff.

Swansea's Captain Ben Greenley was clearly disappointed at their narrow defeat, "It was a much closer match than in the cup, and we wanted Varsity more."

For Greenley though, Varsity was a team effort, "win as a team, and lose as a team."

Dawn Lewis