This was the first home court match for the men this year. A big home crowd had gathered at the Essex Sports Arena for what was also a very poignant occasion for the Rebels.

One year ago today, the club came close to falling apart. Everyone within the organisation has done some amazing work to recover well after we lost young talents, all deeply part of the Rebs family.

We can never forget what we lost. There was a lovely tribute to the four young souls that were tragically taken a year ago today. The Rebs handled the whole situation with tremendous dignity and respect.

Right. Time for a basketball game; time to honour those missing with a positive team performance out on the court.

The men didn’t disappoint. Right from the opening tip off, Rebels shutdown Bristol at every opportunity. They seized the ball with regular turnovers, not even allowing the Flyers to put their shots up.

It was great to see the returning Ben Winters out on court after a winter sabbatical. He has a calm presence, as well as understanding the club inside out. Rebs led 29-11 at the first quarter.

It wasn’t only the commanding performance from the home team that was frustrating the Flyers. Decisions from the officials weren’t going their way. We’ll take those, thank you very much. Rebs had an impressive 56-25 lead at the buzzer.

The break also had more tributes, keeping the uplifting, positive feels. The Essex Blades dance team put on an impressive performance in memory of Eva, who is also missed. The dance was one that had been choreographed by the former dancer. The Blades were visibly emotional with the response they received.

Back on the court and the Rebels wanted more. There’s no coming back for any team when you trail 81-32 going into the final quarter.

A final scoreboard of 115-43 in favour of the Rebs shows the determination in this team to honour their friends.

JOB DONE.

Once a Rebel, always a Rebel.

A tough 97-88 road defeat for the Rebels women up in Manchester on Sunday evening. We watched it via the ACE Manchester Basketball YT stream.

The production values were superb, as well as the insightful commentary. The Manchester Basktball Performace Centre looked half decent as well. We really should try and get up there.

It was a tight first half, with both teams just falling short of 50 points. The Rebs sadly couldn’t match the pace of scoring for Manchester in the third.

This was the exact same situation as the Caledonian Cup game at home last weekend. There seems something psychological about the third quarter in the Rebs camp right now.

Paige Myler was missing. I’m not sure why. Rebs really missed her points contribution. Hey hoe. It’s a long journey back home from Manchester. Up the Rebs.

To the Essex Sports Arena! To watch some volleyball! And basketball!

But we managed to balls it up. Bugger.

My diary said women’s volleyball at 2pm, men at 4pm. I thought we would catch the men at 4pm, and then hang around for the women’s basketball at 6:30pm. Sports Billy, etc.

We rocked up at the Arena and it was absolutely empty, apart from some fuss ball nets covering all the courts. Most odd.

Ah. Betcha there is some fuss ball tournament, and the volleyball and basketball are on in the Sports Hall next door. The Rebs had already mailed us to say this is where the basketball would be taking place.

My timing as ever, was incredibly fashionably late. The volleyball net was being taken down, with both games having already been played - midday and 2pm, innit.

Oh well. We only have another two and a half hours to kill on campus in out of term time before the basketball begins. It would have been a right pain in the arse to make the half hour walk back home, settle for a short while, and then head out again.

We swerved the SU Bar, and went for the grown up choice of the rather lovely green eco coffee place, that popped up next door a few years ago. An hour and a half was spent slurping hot chocolate and cream, whilst scrolling football updates.

Finally the Rebs were ready for us in the Sports Hall. This now feels like a strange venue to watch elite level basketball. The University needed to build the Essex Sports Arena to step up. Games inside here suggest an organisation on the up, rather than playing in an old 80’s sports hall.

This was the exact same location where I sat my undergrad exams some 35 years ago. It’s where I was first introduced to the idea of aerobics for a very temporary time period, plus also the scene of my last sending off in football.

We took up our positions on the front row, just as the Rebs were starting their warm ups an hour ahead of tip off. It was a very different viewing experience. Even during the warm up, you got to experience the speed and physicality of the players.

Tip off came, with the Rebs playing Caledonian Gladiators in a Cup Quarter Final. I lose track of the different competitions and formats. But we played the same team just before Christmas in a Cup semi. Gladiators left with a victory. These games are developing into quite a strong rivalry.

The first half was scrappy, played out at an intense pace from both teams. The passes were there, but there was no holding back with some of the ball play and interceptions. I ended up with a Rebs player almost sitting on my lap after one particularly tasty encounter.

Rebs took a 25-24 lead into the first quarter buzzer, hinting at the tightness of the contest that was to come. This was pretty much mirrored with a 49-48 lead at HT.

We noticed after the break that the Gladiator players all had what looked like a bicycle light on each trainer. On closer inspection - we were on the front row - and it became clear that these were GPS trackers. This is a VERY professional league.

Gladiators finally pulled away in the third. Everything seemed to sink for them. Rebs played well, but the baskets just weren’t landing. Rebs were up against it, heading into the 4th trailing 84-67.

It all got a little nasty, both on the court and on the bench. I’m surprised no one was fouled out of the game. Gladiators were deserving of their 108-84 road win.

Yorkshire Dragons rocked up at the Essex Sports Arena short benched. Just make sure that no one gets fouled out of the game, right? The tactics were clear for the men from Coach Hart: draw the fouls, pick them off, one at a time…

The 31-22 scoreline at the end of the first quarter sounds like a half decent game. In truth, it was a little flat. A lot of the Sunday evening family crowd had disappeared, with the first working day of the new year about to bash you on the head.

Dragons managed a decent comeback in the second, with Rebels taking a slender 48-43 lead into the HT buzzer. Mr DJ dropped some classic De La Soul during the break. I’m still grinning, tbh. Woh. That sounded fresh coming over the Arena PA.

Somehow the Rebs found themselves locked into a one point game. Miles ‘Chef’ (he’s cooking…) Brown carried the Rebels with some BIG three pointers, as well as keeping his cool under the free throw line. Tyrese Hudson had his best game in a Rebs jersey for some time.

The scoreboard was showing the Rebs leading 81-79 going into the final quarter. I didn’t quite follow the exact gameplay, but some dark arts on the court led to two Dragons players being fouled out of the game. Given that they only travelled with a bench of seven, this was a little unfortunate.

The away team had to play the final five minutes or so with no subs. Rebs read the situation well, playing out the remainder of the game at tremendous pace, tiring out the opposition, whilst making regular substitution themselves.

The final score of 104-92 in favour of the Rebs was a masterclass in coaching. There was a little friction on the home bench at one stage, but I think we got there in the end.

An early fixture for the Rebels to start 2026. The 4th January date meant that campus was deserted. We were expecting a crowd of maybe double figures.

It was impressive to see more than half of the main stand at the Sports Arena full. This shows that the Rebels have a strong local base, and not just amongst students.

After a slow start, the Rebs stretched to a 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Some great passing was on show from the home team, cutting apart the Wildcats defence with precision.

Don’t look up now… Oh dear. We appear to be on the big video screen in the Sports Arena. “SMILE!” came the instruction from the Voice of the Rebs. I don’t smile. But I made an exception for this one occasion.

The HT score of 51-39 hinted at a big points tally being racked up for the Rebs. They didn’t allow Nottingham back into the game, and were ruthless at both ends of the court.

Nottingham never quite stretched what is a very decent team for the women this year. It was great to see smiles all round from the home bench as they carried a 75-88 lead into the final quarter.

The chase was on to top 100 points, Rebs fell short by four. But a FT score on the buzzer of 96-78 is a great way to start the new year.

Up the Rebs!

Some basketball games are low scoring, yet still tense. Rebels men Vs Nottingham Hoods was a case in point. It would be slightly unflattering to describe the game as uneventful. It had many personal battles, plus some great passages of play. But both teams focussed more on cancelling each other out, rather than keep the scoreboard ticking over.

On the floor and the Match day MC was keeping everyone happy.

“Copy the pose!”

…came the instruction, as a picture of a Rebs players posing appeared on the big screen. There was a slight wardrobe malfunction with an Essex Rebels T-shirt appearing in the background. The image had been cropped, revealing the un-family friendly message of SEX.

Whoops.

Rebels took a 38-33 lead into the break. It was time for the Christmas Jumper Parade on centre court. I stayed firmly sitting on my seat.

Compared to the women earlier, this was a very clean game. Personal fouls were kept low, with both teams preferring to showcase their skills, rather than their muscles.

The game finally got going in the fourth when Nottingham decided to turn up and chase a win. Rebs were too strong, starting the early Christmas celebrations with a well deserved 85-76 home court win.

Christmas Party GAME NIGHT with the Essex Rebels. Usually I would run a mile from anything that SCREAMS Christmas Party at me - especially so if it involves wearing Christmas jumpers. But I can make exceptions for the Rebs.

I wasn’t sure at first if the visiting Sheffield Hatters were wearing a special Christmas themed game jersey. The bright pink colours took a little time to get adjusted to under the bright lights of the court.

Also taking a little time to adjust to the on court conditions were the Rebels. They were chasing the game - and the scoreboard - throughout al four quarters. The home team were never out of the reckoning, but it was a struggle to try and match the pace of Sheffield.

It’s a team game, obvs, but SHOUT OUT to Paige Myler, who kept Rebels in the game with a succession of BIG three pointers. At one point the Rebels were twelve points down. Myler manager to turn this around to take the Rebs two points clear.

This was the signal for the home crowd to wake up and realise that we had a decent ball game breaking out in front of us.

The scores were level 101-101 with 28 seconds remaining on the clock. This became a game of small margins and sharp coaching. Some strong bench work from Coach Cookson saw the game plan delivered to perfection. A foul was drawn, and Ice Queen Rhema Ogele showed no nerves in sinking her two throws from the line to take Rebels clear.

Having trailed throughout the entire game, only to take the lead come the final buzzer, was indeed reason for a Rebs celebration. I allowed myself a little Shaky Merry Christmas Everyone foot shuffle as the team celebrated. You still won’t ever catch me wearing a Christmas jumper.

Up the Rebs.

The Caledonian Gladiators rocked up at the Essex Sports Arena for a Trophy semi-final match on Monday afternoon, with the unusual tip off time of 4pm.

Oh.

It was hardly the high thrills of a Rebs Saturday night GAME NIGHT. I was half expecting to be amongst a very selective crowd of ahem dedicated Rebs fans.

I needn’t have worried. The Rebs had done a half decent job in marketing the match to the after school crowd. There was enough of us in there to make a right old racket.

As for Caledonian?

That’s an awfully long way to come down to cheer on your team; it’s also an awfully long way down to travel back for the players if they didn’t get the result they were hoping for.

The away team wasted no time in going about their business. They racked up nine points on the scoreboard before the Rebels could even get going.

A quick turn around in play, and soon it was 10-10, in what was shaping up to be a very physical encounter. Both teams would do well to finish with a full bench.

The scores were tied at 19-19 at the end of the first. Little ground was made up in the second quarter. A very tight game was swaying back and forth, with Caledonian leading 37-24 at the break.

The physical contest continued into the third. Elbows were flying everywhere. The main tactic from the Rebs seemed to be to entice the Caledonian BRUISER of a player to foul herself out of the game.

Job well done, Claire Paxton. Extra points for celebrating the achievement on court.

Neither team could pull away. This one’s going all the way down to the wrire, right?

It was a thrilling game, with the scoreboard showing the Rebs leading 64-63 going into the final quarter.

Any result was possible - a home win, an away win or even OT.

The Rebs seemed on top with one minute remaining. But then Caledonian played a smart game, sinking their shots, and managing the stop clock.

A 95-93 home court defeat for the Rebs was a tough one.

Hey hoe.

At least I only had a short bicycle ride back to base.

Woh.

Where to start here?

This was possibly the best ball game I’ve seen.

tl;dr the game was tied at the buzzer. Two periods of OT followed. There was very little to separate these teams. Newcastle just edged it.

Arse.

The first quarter started at an incredible pace. Surely both teams can’t keep this up for four quarters?

Erm, yep. Plus another ten minutes if you don’t mind.

Value for money, etc.

Miles Brown hit some big three pointers in the first quarter.

Rebs' Captain Tom Childs sat down his rival guard, delivered a killer pass, and then another three pointer was sunk.

“If you’re here supporting the Newcastle Knights, make some noise!”

…was the rather ironic words of encouragement from Mr MC.

There was no noise.

Ta for coming, etc.

Rebels took a 45-39 lead into the half time buzzer.

The Duck Tax was the HT fun. Parents of kids are ‘encouraged’ to part with £1 for a plastic duck, that is then thrown on to an archery style parachute on centre circle.

Even Rachel Reeves would blush, such is the fiscal soft hand technique used to raise a little extra revenue.

I sat on my hands.

The third and fourth quarters raced on by. Tom Childs played another massive game, dominating play and setting up the chances.

Rebs looked as though they had won the game, but a few costly errors led to five minutes of an OT shoot out.

To their credit, the Rebs reset, and went again. A rough period of play followed with some very physical passages of play.

Five minutes were up, and still you couldn’t separate the two teams on 103-103.

Shall we do it all over again?

SHOUT OUT to the home crowd. Everyone in the Arena got behind the Rebs. It was the best atmosphere we’ve had so far this season.

Some calm finishing from Newcastle saw the visitors over the line.

The Rebs bench looked broken at the buzzer.

They shouldn’t have. This was a marked improvement on the last home game two weeks ago.

We may not be the most talented team, but the commitment is there to see on court.

Jersey Night at the Essex Sports Arena. Which means fans are encouraged to wear their fave replica basketball vest.

Brrr. It’s a bit chilly for short-sleeves, let alone a vest. I opted for the black RUBBER rain mac instead.

I wasn’t invited on to centre court at the interval to parade my finest fashion wear.

Their loss.

The Rebels women got off to a dynamite start at home to a strong Oaklands Wolves. Rebs put 19 points up on the board before the Wolves were able to reply.

Everything seemed to be going the way of the home team. All the free throws were sunk, whilst Oakland looked nervy from the free throw line

A 31-11 lead for the Rebs at the end of the first quarter looked like game over already.

The pace picked up in the second. Wolves refused to fade away, with the score pegged back 50-38 to the Rebs at the break.

Natalie Chou was outstanding for the home team. She dominated every area of the court - in attack, defence and everything in-between.

Olivia Forster meanwhile played a fiery game. She was in the face of her opponents and wasn’t about to be intimidated by some rather big and bruising Oakland players.

The away team did manage a comeback of sorts in the third. They took it to a five point game - which was a little too close for comfort.

The Rebs were tested in the final quarter. In previous season they would have collapsed. But not so the Rebs of 2025.

They dug deep and left the court with a fantastic 92-78 home win.

Up the Rebs!