SWIFTS 83

IPSWICH BOBCATS 39

With the senior side taking a well-earned breather, Swifts' under-16s took centre stage by winning through to the last eight of the National Cadet Cup.

The cadets were taking on the might of Ipswich, previous winners of the cup, and both sides started nervously.

Only Sarah D'Silva scored regularly for the home side as they ended the first period with a slim 14-13 advantage.

Swifts fared little better in the second quarter and it was only the visitors' inability to score that saw them ahead 29-21 at the interval.

After a half-time team-talk Swifts came out much more aggressively in the second half and early scores from Talia Smith, Natalie Payne and Rachel Barrett allowed them to take a decisive advantage.

Nikki Braine then found her scoring touch as the home side went on a superb 26-2 run to put the match out of reach. The third quarter margin of 59-25 showed the ability of the young Essex team.

The final quarter was a formality as all of the Swifts players were able to get on the scoresheet to clinch a fine 83-39 victory.

SWIFTS JUNIORS 116

BARNET BULLDOGS 28

Swifts juniors (under-18) were in unchartered territory as they met Barnet Bulldogs - a club new to National competition.

But they soon settled down thanks to a three-pointer from Sarah Hopkins, who notched her side's first 21 points as Swifts took a 23-8 first quarter advantage.

The second quarter was even more one way traffic. The home side were able to score at will, with Amy Andrews, 13, showing her talent with nine second quarter points as Swifts led 54-10 at half-time.

There was no let-up in the third quarter, with Georgina Willmore scoring 13. The home side managed an outstanding 36 points in the period to extend their lead to 90-17.

The fourth quarter was once again a formality, but at least it allowed Swifts to give their youngest players a run-out for the whole ten minutes.

And the crowd were suitably enthralled as year nine students Amy Andrews, Georgina Willmore and Zo Walkling showed their prowess with a series of long range shots to clinch a crushing victory.

l Both sides face sterner tests against Ware this Saturday at Greensward College. The cadets tip-off at 1pm with the juniors following at 3 pm.

Ship shape for Bristol

Greensward College's under-15 girls take on Backwell School, Bristol, aiming for a place in the last eight of the National Schools' Cup tomorrow.

The teenagers travelled down today.

The under-16 girls, who hold the National Cup, also look for a quarter-final spot when they are at home to Durham on January 4 (12.30pm) and the under-19s are in a similar position, again playing at Greensward's Hockley headquarters, with Surrey providing the opposition, on January 10 (4.30pm).

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.