Ipswich Basketball Club's eldest junior sides showed the way at the weekend as both the Under-16s secured victories.

Ipswich Basketball Club's eldest junior sides showed the way at the weekend as both the Under-16s secured victories. The only other team at the club to pick up a win were U14 Tomcats who won one of their two matches.

National Boys' Under-16 League

East Midlands Conference

Ipswich Tomcats 135 Brentwood Fire 56

IPSWICH Tomcats most senior men's side continued their all-conquering start to the season with another convincing win.

Coach Dennis Dixon's side are now unbeaten in six league and cup games this season and, with the margin of their victories at present, that run does not look like coming to an end sometime soon.

The Under-16s went into this match having beaten their previous league opponents by an average of 70 points per game.

Brentwood Fire would come off slightly worse than this - Ipswich winning by 79 points thanks to their usual efficient blend of team work and accuracy.

For once Ipswich were not first to the basket but, for the next four minutes the home side went on a run of 22 for no return and that set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Tomcats closest game of the season was their two point victory in the Sure Shot Cup against Premiership side Southend. Next week will see a real test for the boys in blue when they take on Southern Conference side WFS Spartans in round three of the competition.

National Girls' U16 League

South One Conference

North East Essex Jammers 56 Ipswich Bobcats 65

IPSWICH Bobcats consolidated their second place position in the table with a nine-point win at the NE Essex Jammers.

After losing their mid-week friendly against Lakenheath Lancers, the Under-16 girls travelled to Colchester where, despite being behind at half-time, they came away with a good victory.

It was pleasing result for Coach Kirk Bonas who stepped up the mark as head coach for this and the next few games in the absence of Kathryn James who is enjoying a well-earned holiday.

The girls will take on unknown Aylesbury and bottom-of-the-table Baddow before Christmas.

National Boys' U15 League

South Two

Newham Youngbloods 76 Ipswich Tomcats 67

IPSWICH Tomcats just lost out in this top-of-the-table clash against a very strong Newham Youngbloods side.

Prior to this match at Forest Gate neither team had been beaten this season, with Newham in first place in the league based on points difference.

The hosts were still firm favourites though as while Ipswich's winning average has been eight points so far this season, Newham's has been 43.

Coach Nick Newman knew he was in for a tough game, especially as he was without ball handler Jake Eynon.

In game in which Ipswich exhibited terrific team spirit, everyone of Newman's players gave their all, however, both Tyme Regent-Bascombe and Joel Keeble were worthy of special mention.

Playing a team of the strength of Newham was always going to be tough for Ipswich, but being within nine points of them at the end was encouraging.

Ipswich left London with a dent in their 100% record but look forward to the return leg in February when the Suffolk side will have home court advantage.

National Boys' U14 League

South Two

Ipswich Tomcats 54 Camden Jaz 34

IPSWICH Tomcats beat Camden Jaz in the first match of a triangular tournament at Holywells High School.

The day started with Ipswich kindly collecting their London opponents from the train station after they called to find out which bus to take to Holywells.

But the hosts' hospitality ended there as, on the court, Ben Moore was first to the basket for the Tomcats, followed rapidly by Luke Mascall-Wright and Ben Mead.

It was almost four minutes before Camden managed to get themselves on the scoreboard, but they did stem the tide of scoring from Ipswich after a straight talking time-out.

Ipswich then settled into their rhythm, consistently outscoring their visitors by roughly two baskets to one, to run out eventual winners by a healthy 20 points.

Ipswich Tomcats 53 Kent Crusaders 59

IPSWICH lost their second game of the day as their Kent opponents stormed back in the final period.

With the Crusaders having also beaten Camden by 20 this was always shaping up to be a close game - and so it was.

The game started fast but both sides missed chances as a whole 60 seconds passed before anyone made a basket.

That went to the visitors and it would be another two minutes before Ipswich got on the score sheet. The quarter ended with Ipswich just edging ahead with a fantastic solo effort from Luke Mascall-Wright.

The Tomcats' accuracy seem to desert them as they missed easy layups, but they still managed to pull out a slender four point lead by the half thanks in no small way to the efforts of Ben Mead.

Ipswich's Ben Moore was first to the basket at the restart as the Tomcats came out fighting and scoring, causing the Kent coach to call a time-out just one minute in. At this point the home side were relatively well off with a 10 point lead.

Frantic end-to-end stuff followed with both sides giving away needless fouls and neither capitalising on the opportunities. Ipswich were in front by six going into the final period.

The Crusaders were not going to let this game get away from them and came out fighting, drawing level in just over two minutes. Unmoved by this the home side exchanged baskets for the next couple of minutes with neither side being able to break the deadlock.

With just under two minutes to run, Ipswich's Elliot Chapman committed his fifth foul and was sent to the bench. Kent grabbed the lead shortly afterwards and then found the range from the free throw line to pull six points clear.

A special mention to Jacob Tinker who, despite breaking his ankle in training, took his place on the bench - albeit as a spectator. The club wish Tinker a speedy recovery.

National Girls' U14 League

South Division

Southend Swifts 101 Ipswich Bobcats 41

Coach Bernard Ball's squad of Under-14 girls played only their second game of the season away to Southend Swifts.

Having had to face the league leaders Haringey in their first ever game, their second ever game was against second placed and unbeaten Southend Swifts.

With very little court minutes under their belts the Ipswich side came home nursing a 41-101 defeat.

For more information about Ipswich Basketball Club go to: www.ipswichbasketball.net.