To the Essex Sport Arena!

…on Sunday evening.

Volleyball one evening, basketball the next.

Whaddya mean we’s hopeless Sport Billies, left with little other sporting entertainment during the stupid international break?

The Rebels men had a home court game against Worthing Thunder.

This was very much the evening after the evening before, when Rebels stormed to a stunning away win at Birmingham in the final few seconds of the game on Saturday evening.

They were paying the price as well. The signs weren’t good when Skipper Tom Childs limped through the warm up with a dead leg, ahead of bench warming for the evening.

Worthing had a BIG DAWG of a baller bully. The fella was almost as wide as he was tall.

They also had a shocker of a purple patterned kit. It looked more like the clothing for a nursery rhyme character than a serious athlete.

But make no mistake: Worthing were bloody serious ballers.

Rebels seemed to understand this from the start. Playing with a short bench, the plan seemed to be sink the three pointers, and failing that, make no mistake with the rebounds.

But what happens if both of these fail to come off?

Oh.

Rebels had a decent first quarter, but then the game got away from them early in the second. The scoreboard was only going one way.

A HT score of 36-66 led to heads dropping as the Rebels headed back to the locker room.

Coach Hart cut a lone figure, staying on the bench, and choosing not to address what he had just seen.

The second half was all about damage limitation for the Rebs. But Worthing didn’t hold back.

Oh dear.

The final scoreline of 85-132 tells you all need to know. The only surprise is that the Rebs managed to reach 85.

Worthing were superb.

There was a BIG Sunday afternoon crowd at the Essex Arena for the visit of Loughborough Riders.

I’m not sure why. It wasn’t a double header game, and the Rebs hadn’t made an extra effort to push the tickets.

GOOD EFFORT all round. The strap-line of Colchester’s Best Kept Secret might soon have to be scrapped.

Rebs were down at the end of the first quarter.

Oh dear.

We know how this game is going to end.

There’s an acceptance that the Men aren’t the best team in the league. The Rebs organisation is all about developing talent - both on and off the court.

All we ask for as fans is to put in a decent performance and push the opposition as far as you can.

But don’t take your eye off the ball - especially when High Flyer Tyrese Hudson is playing the game of his life out there.

WOH! This is a classic example of a Rebels young player who has grown to become a baller who can compete with some of the toughest men in the league.

All of a sudden and the score was 34-34. Some huge turnovers for the Rebels allowed them to control the game, and not be bullied by the Riders.

The new Mr Mic Man did a commanding job. He’s found his voice and isn’t afraid to express it. Stan is a tough act to follow.

HT saw birthday celebrations on the court for some local kids. The Rebs handle these events very well. It’s not easy herding around a small army of ankle biters.

Chuck-a-Duck followed. Much to my surprise, this remainsrather popular.

The second half of the game was tight. Riders stretched to a two point lead at 61-63.

Now or never for the Rebs. Don’t let them get out of sight. Sure, we’re here to win, but this is a young Rebels team with a rookie Coach.

Speaking of which: SHOUT OUT to Coach Hart, who took to the court with the big wiper and helped to clean up some sweat.

In it together, etc.

Kyron Martin came big for the Rebels, just when we needed it. He stepped forward on two occasions to sink all four points from his free throws.

These put the game out of reach for the Riders. Man has ice in his veins. Decent beard as well.

And so a fantastic 87-82 home court win for the Rebs.

Yep - you always back yourself at Our House, but once again, this is a Rebels team that is punching above its weight.

What’s really interesting to see is how the organisation is growing behind the scenes, year on year.

Last season was tough due to some tragic off the court circumstances. The club has regrouped, and decided to move on and continue to see where this takes us.

We’re not the strongest team, but we have a strong team spirit.

#uptherebs

There was something of a Rebels reunion on home court as Reading Rockets arrived at the Essex Sports Arena on Saturday.

Any team with Zain Poorman and Victor Olarerin is going to be a little tasty.

Once a Reb, always a Reb, etc.

This was a weird watch, tbh. The Rebels men impressed on the last home court performance a couple of weeks ago. A couple of big name players from the demolition job over Bristol weren’t on the bench.

It can be a little frustrating trying to keep up with squad changes. Injuries, work, life etc get in the way.

You don’t want a running commentary of EVERYTHING that is taking place behind the scenes. Premier League football has become toxic with this level of demand coming from the fanbase.

But it would be good to know a line or two about where players are, having impressed so much in previous performances. Are they still at the club? If not, we wish them well…

Which all meant that it felt like the Rebs bench was a couple of big game players short. The home team didn’t play badly, but they couldn’t compete with the extra muscle coming from the Rockets.

Oh - and Victor Olarerin as well.

This was pretty much a one man show from the ex-Reb. He clocked up a bloody impressive 51 points alone.

Outstanding, and a pleasure to watch.

Rebels were always chasing the scoreboard. Three pointers were the option, rather than a slowly, slowly turning of the scoreboard with more reliable shots. The majority of these didn’t sink.

It was also a scrappy, physical tussle out on the court. Sometimes you want to see that. But when you’re lacking a little in muscle, then there’s only going to be one winner.

The Rebs chased the game in the third and fourth, never really out of it, but never really within a serious chance of catching up with Reading. Heads dropped a little in the final five minutes.

Hey hoe.

Onwards.

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!