Brixton Topcats 56, Ipswich Hoops 67

To Brixton Rec! On Sunday afternoon for the second billing on the b-ball court. That’s the way that it’s working out for Brixton Topcats this season with the Lady Topcats purring like a Cheshire.

A 63-51 home court win for the Ladies saw the Lady Topcats through to the play-off finals. This is the success story down at the Rec this season. It shows in the growing interest from young females watching and taking an interest in the club.

And so shortly after 4pm when the men’s team went through their never-ending pre-game stretches, it seemed a little flat.

“Who are they playing?”

…I asked a friendly face sitting on the front row.

“Ipswich, my friend. It said so in BIG letters on the front of their vests.”

Whoops.

An evenly paced first quarter saw both teams taking a little time to warm up.

More stretching needed…

It soon became a slightly more physical contest, with the added distraction of the bright pink socks from a playful Ipswich sharp shooter.

A huge three pointer on the first buzzer gave the away team a 19-17 lead at the first quarter.

Topcats were paying heavily for some cheap penalty shots. Ipswich were well drilled in sinking the ball from the free throw line.

No ones likes a show boater.

…not true.

The Ipswich point guard was particularly skilful and flexible. A job in the circus awaits if that NBA franchise fails to find its way to East Anglia.

38-32 to Ipswich at the break.

The Topcats were left chasing the game in the third.

“NO SWINGS!”

Shouted the ref at a particularly hoop happy swinger from Ipswich.

Quite right. What do you think the Rec is? A Brixton playground? We need to protect these community assets don’t we Lambeth Council.

Don’t we?

The Topcats were caught on the buzzer yet again with a big three pointer, leaving a 51-41 score line in favour of Ipswich going into the final quarter.

It was a stop / start stretch of the game. The gap widened to 10 points with two minutes left to play. Substitutions, tactical fowling and a little lively crowd interaction couldn’t see off an 11 point ball game win for the visitors.