Chelmsford saw some of the very best female sporting talent in the country assembled for a spectacular display of basketball skills and thrills.

The basketball feast nine days ago at the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre started with an Under 18 Women's International match between England and Scotland and as with most such encounters it did not disappoint.

From the tip-off both teams played with intensity and athleticism. The all important early advantage was gained by England, thanks to tremendous defence and creative offence.

After 10 minutes England led 15-7 and local star Louise Gamman (Chelmsford Swifts) had already made her mark with some great defensive work in her debut game.

Thanks to Louise Haddow (12 points) Scotland had a good spell to reduce the deficit to just one point in the 15th minute.

The game then see-sawed with point scoring runs by both teams until England went into half-time with a 37-30 lead.

The second half saw a similar pattern emerge with a series of scoring spurts by both teams, one of which saw Scotland get within three points of England but superb shooting by Sarah Cooper (15 points) and Kate Crowley (14 points) helped England establish a commanding 10 point lead with only four minutes left.

Despite intense pressure, England played with control and intelligence to frustrate their opponents and eventually ran out winners by 12 points at 69-57.

A special mention for Essex born Marion Tucker who was a special guest on the day. She was the England Under 18 Captain in 1969 in the first ever game between England and Scotland.

In the All Star game the crowd were treated to an outstanding display of skill, athleticism and commitment. The teams went at it with real determination and effort and produced some breathtaking plays.

Although the North held an early lead thanks to some sharp shooting from Carmen Glover (14 points) it was the silky skills of the South that helped them establish a 45-32 half-time scoreline.

But the North never gave up and gradually pulled back the deficit to within three points by the ninth minute.

It looked set for a close finish but super shooting by Severene Baquillon (12 points) and Charlene Oesterling (15 points) took the South almost out of reach at 71-55 with just four minutes left.

Although they had a late run of 10 unanswered points which made the score more respectable the Northerners were unable to prevent a revenge win for the South by 75-64.

Action from the women's all star event at the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre last Sunday.

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