WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The National League basketball season came to an end for the Ipswich Bobcats with the club's awards evening at Rushmere Sports and Social Club.The club had seen development this year with the newly formed U14 Paserelle team entering the National League for the first time.

WOMAN'S BASKETBALL

THE National League basketball season came to an end for the Ipswich Bobcats with the club's awards evening at Rushmere Sports and Social Club.

The club had seen development this year with the newly formed U14 Paserelle team entering the National League for the first time.

Coached by Alan Brownsell, the team just missed out on a play-off place, finishing a creditable fourth.

Cadette coach Pete Somers, aided and supported by Karen Read, yet again had a good season, also just missing out on the play-offs, again finishing in fourth place. The team had an excellent run in the National Cup, eventually going out in the semi-finals to a very strong Doncaster team.

Karen Read had another special mention about the superb job she did with the Junior women this year.

They entered the Ipswich U18 League, and did themselves proud with some outstanding wins over mainly boys' teams. Sadly they lost to Spelthorne in the final round of the National Cup, so matches have now been confined to the Ipswich League.

The seniors had another successful season after taking the option to drop down to Division Two in order to rebuild the squad both on and off the court.

Surprisingly, they were much stronger than they first thought and could have remained in Division One. This was mainly due to the unexpected return of Jessica Gray.

The Bobcats pushed Nottingham very close in the National Cup, which indicated that they would have competed satisfactorily at the top level.

Finishing fourth in the league was a good achievement, and as it turned out the top teams were so close that one more victory would have seen the club finish in second position.

The two single-point losses to Stockport in the Trophy Final and the Play-off semi-final were disheartening.

The club are in the process of applying to join the newly formed Women's Conference next year, which would see the Bobcats return to playing at the highest level.

Award winners:

Senior Most valuable player – Laura Shemming; Senior Most Improved Player – Kirsty Banns; Senior Coach Award – Helen Wood; Cadette MVP – Charlotte Dunne; Cadette Coach Award – Charlotte Dunne; Cadette MIP – Laura Lindsey and Kayleigh Button; Junior Development Award – Kerry Moore; Club Personality of the Year – Roy Oakley.