WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ipswich Bobcats 88 Oxford Shedevils 76. The Women's Basketball National League season returned to Maidenhall Sports Centre on Saturday evening when the Ipswich Bobcats entertained Oxford Shedevils.

IPSWICH BOBCATS 88 – 76 OXFORD SHEDEVILS

The Women's Basketball National League season returned to Maidenhall Sports Centre on Saturday evening when the Ipswich Bobcats entertained Oxford Shedevils. In a keenly contested encounter the Bobcats were always in control, running out comfortable 88-76 winners.

The game started with Kirsty Clark, Laura Shemming, Jessica Gray, Kayleigh Read and, after a good performance last week, Catherine MacLean. Baskets were traded by both sides with the Bobcats gradually edging away after a slow start to lead by 5 at mid quarter. This was mainly due to two big three point shots by Read. The experienced Laura Shemming continued where she had left of the previous week, albeit with the bruises still showing, with 9 points and Gray dominating the boards gaining valuable possession at both ends of the court. It soon became obvious that the main threat from Oxford would come from Hartmanova who scored 6 points by the end of the quarter. Bobcats lead was 6, 21-15.

The second quarter saw the Bobcats step up the pace resulting in more baskets for Clark, Shemming and Gray but it was young Kayleigh Read who was stealing the show with some excellent outside shooting. She certainly exploited the freedom she was being given and hit two more three pointers in her total of eleven for the quarter. Boscott for Oxford was certainly working hard inside and with her 4 points was the pick of the team. However Bobcats were now well in command and coach Elaine Miller gave most of the bench valuable court time as they led 45 – 28 at the half.

The third quarter saw the Bobcats continue to run the bench and baskets were evenly matched. Boscott continued her fine form for Oxford with a further six points and nine from Hartmanova kept the opposition in touch. Read hit a further two three pointers with Shemming using all her experience to keep the scoreboard ticking over as well. At the end of the quarter Bobcats lead was still 17, 65-48.

The final quarter saw Oxford become much more aggressive and had reduced the gap to just 10 after only three minutes. Boscott, Hartmanova and Murphy hitting points and taking vital rebounds. A time-out by Miller was called just to steady the ship. Bobcats went t on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to restore what was to prove and unassailable lead. Meanwhile Oxford were now in foul trouble with Boscott and Murphy on four fouls and both were to indeed foul out as the final minutes ticked down. Gray and Clark scored the final points as Bobcats ran out comfortable 88-76 winners.

The game was a personal triumph for Kayleigh Read hitting a personal high of 30 points in a senior game. The Bobcats can take further heart from this experience as the new look team settles in to rhythm. There is still much work to be done at training sessions but the future can be looked at with great optimism. The Bobcats have a week off this coming weekend whilst the International players of all ages go to their respective England training camps. The next game for the Bobcats will be away to Birmingham University on October 6.

Players & Scores: - BOBCATS: - Clark 8, K. Miller, Shemming 24, Read 30, Field 4, Gray 22,

MacLean, Lambert & Button.

OXFORD SHEDEVILS: - White 2, Owen 8, Currie, Crowys 12, Boscott 13, Murphy 5,

Hartmanova 29, & Rolfe 7.