It's a busy run in to the end of season now as re-arranged games from earlier in the season are slotted in. Last weekend saw the u16:1 Bobcats host Eastside at home, looking to cut the deficit suffered away losing by 20 points to within 10.

The girls made an energetic start forcing Eastside into making early errors whilst capitalising in transition. The girls looked as good as they have all season improving leaps and bounds in defence with Merryweather responding well to a plea  in the half court to toughen up and Gallagher finding her way to the basket well. However if the Bobcats could have converted more from the free line they would have gone in with a larger lead at the end of the first than 12-8.

The first phase of the second was a barren spell for both teams with Eastside also struggling to hit foul line shots. Moonie for Eastside then moved up a gear to contribute eight points in five minutes to see the visitors edge ahead by four at half time. Eastside again came out better in the third but Gallagher responded well with real focus and determination to bring the Bobcats back in touch trailing by just four again.

It was to be a game of highs and lows though, as the end to the third, saw heads drop and confidence waned as the blues just couldn't convert at the offensive end. Eastside in contrast were beginning to find some rhythm and whilst Edgeller dinked in under the basket to finish the third the home team were now 44-34 adrift.

The last ten minutes saw the girls step up a gear once again on defense as Dodunski, Eady and Linton once again found the basket. Even though the girls won the first and fourth quarters the damage in the third had sealed their fate to see the closing score finish Eastside 53 Ipswich 45.

Kathryn commented “I actually didn't think holding Eastside to 53 points was such a bad job but to only make 40% of your total shots with a potential 56 points not made it was at the offensive end in the third when we tightened up on our shots where we took the hit.”

Top scorers: Gallagher 17, Dodunski 9

After a week at training with time spent on shooting and finishing it was away to Essex Jammers this weekend for the first of two games with the second against Sevenoaks on Sunday. Gallagher and Tait made early gains for the Bobcats but down the defensive end Jammers were causing Bobcats problems under the hoop winning boards which resulted in the blues fouling. Fortunately Jammers didn't punish the Bobcats hitting 2 from 7 at the foul line otherwise the first quarter score of 14-6 could have different.

In the second as the Bobcats rotated well, Jammers began to tire and Yapp and Linton both entered the game with energy looking to make an impression which they duly did. The girls also won more defensive rebounds and the court opened up on the break.

Coach James wanted to keep the pressure up in the third as it has been a consistently poor period for the girls recently as they lose focus and energy after the break. They responded well again working hard at the defensive end, in difficult circumstances at times. At the hoop Eady contributed four selfless sweet assists to see Dargan and Baxter get on the sheet too. The final score ended Jammers 26 Bobcats 62.

The second game of the weekend will see the Bobcats at home to Sevenoaks which looks like being a tough encounter as they have beaten Solent by nearly forty recently. With Solent beating Southend today the final placings still leave some uncertainty in this competitive south league.