BLIZZARDS 59-59 Woking Blackhawk Thunder Bolt

Play off time, a much deserved first leg play off tie for the BLIZZARDS after having beaten Yateley, the champions, in their last game to prologue the season.
The Blizzards were definitely up for it even though they had lost both league games to the well drilled Woking side this season.
The intensity was ferocious from the tip off, the ball was moving fast and smoothly as they took an early lead 7-3 with Taylor Dawson, Max Bartholomew and Luke Karmazyn all driving to the hoop. J Bagwell soon had Woking back level with three consecutive basket, the game was then tied at 7,9,11 and 13. No sooner was Nathan Rutherford on the court that he hit two shots, but at the first buzzer Woking had edged it by one 17-18.
The locals were rotating their players as all gave 100%, but Woking still had a lead 19-23 after the visitors hit their first three. A 9-2 run in the next four minutes saw the BLIZZARDS take back the lead 28-25 with Chris Reece finding the hoop and Stuart Elliott converting his free throws. The last four minutes before HT saw another reversal as Woking scored nine unanswered points and at the half it was 28-36.
Second half was underway, Max Bartholomew was back on the court and was on fire, with Harry Preston dominating the boards, the BLIZZARDS were back in it within three minutes 37-38, but a quick 7-0 with three consecutive baskets gave the visitors a cushion 37-45 again, they seems to have broken the Blizzards 41-51 with a quarter to play.
Now with seven minutes only left on the clock 43-55 on the score boards, the Blizzards top scorer this season Ben Firrell was about to find his range with two consecutive threes, Max Bartholomew still red hot from mid range saw the BLIZZARDS were soon back in the game
54-55.
With just under five minutes left on the clock Woking take a time out. The intensity doubles up as both teams play hard defence, Woking increase their lead 56-59, The Blizzards won’t give up as Taylor Dawson gets another shoot and hits one of two free throws. 59 a piece with still plenty time on the clock.
With 55 seconds on the clock the BLIZZARDS have the ball, miss the shot but get the rebound another missed shot but this time Woking recover the ball 32 seconds to play, they also fail the score and the last chance falls to the locals with just over 10 seconds to play. Preston secures the balls makes the pass, the shot goes up, no good, the rebound is taken under pressure by Stuart Elliott but he also fails to convert as he tries to shot mid air taking the boards in the last second.
The BUZZER goes as square 59-59.
The second leg will now be played at Woking on Friday 27th April wilth both teams level looking for that Play off final place at Aldershot Garrison on Sunday 12th May.
Another great effort by the team
Max Bartholomew 24pts, Taylor Dawson 11pts, Ben Firrell 10pts, Nathan Rutherford 4pts, Luke Karmazyn 2pts, Hsarry Preston 2pts, Adam Lack 2pts, Chris Reece 2pts, Stuart Elliott 2pts, David Blackburn, Stephen Murtagh.

Location

QMC Sports Hall Cliddesden Road Basingstoke RG21 3HF