Crap Match Report: Essex Rebels 74, Caledonia Gladiators 70

Another win for the Rebels women at Our House, aka the Essex Sports Arena. New flashy sporting structures take a little time to bed in. It feels already that Our House has found its identity.

This game was themed around Black History Month. The Rebs organisation does a bloody job in recognising significant events, and then planning gameday around the theme.

It’s not all deserved, progressive themes, that are likely to get Daily Mail readers frothing at the mouth. In the past we’ve celebrated sixty years of the University, international students, and, erm, retro basketball jerseys.

On the court and the Rebs women are transformed this season. It’s early days, but you can’t argue with a record of P5, W5. Some high scoring games have set a high bar for the long season ahead.

I’m not sure what’s changed tbh. Recruitment has been great over the summer months. But then again it looked as though a strong roster of superstars were drafted in twelve months ago.

Quietly, quietly, the team and Coach have gone about building a great team spirit, without the obvious outstanding superstar candidates.

No I in Team etc.

Whatever.

The Rebs got off to a lightening start in the first quarter. Job done, I thought.

The second quarter was a little slower, with the scoreboard not ticking over at the same pace. An injury to Claire Paxton benched her for the rest of the game.

Get well soon, Skip.

Rebels should have been away by now, leaving Caledonia with the long road trip back home. But somehow they drew the scores level.

Whoops.

This is a strong Rebs team though, that knows how to get the job done. Some creative running down of the clock got them over the line.

The celebrations at the end are becoming infectious. We’ve not always seen a happy Coach and team come the final buzzer.

Smiles were everywhere, as the players ran around the stand, high fiving the fans - a lovely touch.

Up the Rebs!