Inter-Services Basketball

SENIORS

The RAF Mens Basketball Team competed in the 2010 Inter-Service Basketball Competition held at HMS Nelson, Portsmouth over the weekend 24-25 Apr. Having trained intensely for the previous week the team began the competition with high hopes of victory against the other Services. Although not able to field a full strength team due to the ash cloud precluding some players attendance, the RAF team had a wealth of experience in some of its senior players to fall back on.

The first game was against a strong Army side that showed fitness and flair on the court in a game that was always going to be fiercely contested. The Army started as the stronger team opening an early 10 point lead as the RAF missed a number of easy scoring opportunities and showed some competition nerves. The first quarter ended 15-5 in favour of the Army as defensive frailties under our own backboard were punished. The second quarter saw the Army dominate once again as the RAF struggled to find some cohesion. Shots that would ordinarily go in during training were unfortunately bouncing off the ring and falling into the hands of the Army forwards. Two quick 3-point shots at the end of the 1^st half left the Army in a commanding position up 29-11.

A tough team talk at half time was needed to stir the RAF team as they knew this game was slipping away. Although starting the 3^rd quarter brightly, the Army lead was maintained at around 15 points and the RAF were showing signs of fatigue whilst the Army legs had more energy in them. The temperature on court was extremely hot through the pane glass roof and the toll of a week of hard pre-competition training was beginning to show. Two 3-point scores by Cpl Gareth Evans kept the RAF within reach of the Army whose lead was cut to 13 points as the quarter approached a close. The Army, quick to respond, increased their tempo and drew fouls from the RAF; the third quarter ended 52-36 leaving the RAF a lot of work to do to win the game.

The final quarter saw some exciting end-to-end basketball from both teams but the Army lead was tough to eat into. Down by 14 points with 4 minutes to go and the Army were in foul-trouble taking the RAF to the free-throw line and cutting the lead down to 10. Despite their best efforts, it was all too much to do and time ran out for the RAF who fell to the Army by 14 points, the game ended 69-57.

Losing the first match of the competition is a bitter pill to swallow and the format of the competition means the RAF now had to play the Navy on the same day. The RAF team had a lot to prove after the Army game and were keen to demonstrate what they were capable of. This was quickly demonstrated during the first quarter where the RAF were up by 9 points after just 3 minutes of play, some quick fast-break points catching the Navy asleep. Defensively more astute than in the Army game, the RAF was able to turn over the ball from the Navy and punish their errors. The quarter ended 25-10 to the RAF.

The momentum continued in the 2^nd quarter where some excellent 3 point shooting by Fg Off Chris McIntyre opened up a 22 point lead with the Navy unable to mount a response. The half ended with the RAF dominant at 49-19.

Things got worse for the Navy in the 3^rd quarter; a formidable RAF completely shut-out the opposition who were unable to score a single point past a resurgent RAF team with much to prove. The lead was increased by a further 20 points and the game entered the final quarter with the RAF up 69-19.

The final quarter saw the RAF coach utilise his entire team to gain experience. The Navy showed more promise than before and matched the RAF point for point going into the last 5 minutes. Some tired legs were evident but the RAF held on to secure victory taking the game 89-41.