This week Crusaders travelled to Herne Bay. Their last meeting before Christmas saw Herne Bay pull back from a 10pt deficit to level the score in the last minute and then go on to win the match by 4pts.

Both sides started nervously, missing a number of opportunities. Herne Bay were first on the score sheet with 2 three point shots from forward Sarah Hardy. With both teams trading baskets, Crusaders found themselves trailing by 3pts at the close of the quarter. The second quarter started with Crusaders changing to a man to man defence. With Becky Sturgen coming on, Crusaders’ defence found a new determination, competing for every loose ball. With only seconds of the first half remaining Moni Molnar drove to the top of the Herne Bay key and pulled up for a jump shot, the ball bounced off the back of the ring, with no one blocking her out she was able to grab the rebound and level the scores on the stroke of half time.

With two players on three fouls Crusaders reverted to a 2-1-2 zone defence for the start of the 3rd quarter. This allowed the home side to settle back into their game, this combined with a number of unforced errors from Crusaders meant that Herne Bay were able to regain the lead and gradually stretch it to 8 pts. With 3 minutes to go before the end of the quarter Crusaders had a time out to steady things and went into the break trailing by 6pts.

The last quarter saw Crusaders return to a man to man defence. Fatigue was now beginning to show with Herne Bay failing to score on 3 consecutive fast breaks, giving Crusaders the opportunity they needed to close the gap on Herne Bay. With Becky dominating the defensive rebounds Crusaders pulled within 2 pts of Herne Bay. It was now the home sides turn to call a time out to steady things. When play resumed an interception by Crusaders enabled an outlet pass to Crusaders captain, Sonya Hood, who scored from just inside the 3pt line to tie the game.

With less than a minute remaining on the clock, one of Herne Bay’s guards drove to the basket and was fouled. The home side now had the chance to win the match from the free throw line. It was not to be, they missed both free shots, the outlet pass went to Moni who set the offence up for one last shot. When the shot came it hit the ring and came straight out into Becky’s hands. As she went to shoot she was fouled and went to the line. The first free shot also bounced out but the second one went in, giving Crusaders victory by the narrowest of margins 45 – 44.

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Last season a combination of injuries and work commitments saw Crusaders travel to Folkestone with a much depleted side. A situation that produced a very competitive match, with Folkestone holding on to a 2pt lead at the final whistle.

This season Crusaders travelled to Folkestone with a full squad determined not to have a repetition of last years result. Crusaders well drilled offence put 8 points on the score board before Folkestone had time to reply.

With Crusaders’ Centre, Jessica Dennis dominating the defensive rebounds, Moni Molnar and Cathy Luckin combined to take full advantage of the situation scoring a number of times from the fast break. By half time Crusaders had a commanding 38 – 14 lead.

The second half started with Folkestone changing to a 2-1-2 zone defence. With no one challenging the outside shot, Andrea Wanstall immediately scored 2 3pt shots and together with Sonya Hood went on to score a total of 19pts from outside in the 3rd quarter.

At the start of the 4th quarter Crusaders changed to a zone defence. With Becky Sturgeon, Lisa Martin and Elley Irvine blocking out under the basket, Folkestone were restricted to pressured outside shots, which enabled Crusaders’ to stretch their lead. At the final whistle Crusaders were able to record a resounding 74 – 31 win.

With last years player of the year Jennifer Hughes returning to Costa Rica, Forward Charlotte Owen leaving for University and guard Emma Loane out for most of the coming season, Crusaders have been busy rebuilding the team.

Last night Crusaders new line up played their first match of the season against ChristchurchUniversity. A nervous start saw Crusaders miss some early opportunities and allow Christchurchto take an early 4 - 3 lead. A time out was called by the Crusaders coach to settle the team. When play resumed one of Crusaders new signings Andrea Wanstall was able to score 12 points before Christchurchwere able to reply. At the close of the quarter Crusaders led 21 - 5 .

Crusaders started the second quarter as they had finished the first, and continued their dominance at both ends of the court. With the home team scoring freely the half time whistle saw Crusaders extend their lead to 37 - 9 .

Having carved out a commanding lead Crusaders took the opportunity in the second half to work through a series of offensive and defensive plays culminating with Forward Lisa Martin producing a spectacular check on one of the Christchurchguards.

The final whistle saw Crusaders notch up a comfortable victory 70 - 17 .

Crusaders' next home match is Monday 23rd October, at Canterbury College against Kent University, who lost by 1 point to last seasons British Universities Champions, Cambridge University. Tip off 8.45.

The match started with Christchurch playing some very physical defence.

In the quarter finals the Crusaders were up against the Phoenix Flames from Folkestone, last years finalists and won 44 - 42.

In an exciting hard fought game Crusaders led from the start.

Phoenix prevented Crusaders from stretching their lead to more than 3pts at any time in during the game.