03.30.2010
SONICS were missing sharp shooter James Edwards, defensive guard David Smith and Mason Poore as well as Power Forward Josh Mortimer. However, SONICS had a strong team with Amir Boucena, Desta Rudder-Smith, Preye Ozeke, Louis Burford and David Emsden starting as well as having a deep bench with Rauni Barros, Patrice Mulowaye, Ayo Toye and Franky Marulanda. WITNEY also had a strong side with Tom Shore, Gould and Ridgill leading the team offensively. Read more
03.23.2010
Witney came into this game knowing how tough the Eagles are, after a comfortable win for them last week.
The starting five (Matt Jura, Owen Workman, Luke Gould, Tom Shore, and Tim Kenyon) had a torrid first quarter that finished 7-26. the second wasn’t much better in which the Eagles held Witney to just 3 points. At the end of the half it was 10-51.
A few positives to take from the game are that Witney countered the trap that the Eagles slaughtered them on last week, but then panicked once in the Eagles half.
The game finished 26-107 in favour of the Eagles.
Other positives were Owen Workman finally hitting top gear, albeit whilst nursing various injuries including groin strain, twisted knee and ankle and a sit of the flu. Owen gets game MVP scoring 11, getting 9 rebounds and a few assists. Honorable mention to Mark Ridgill who performed tirelessy at 4 spot, setting up Matt Jura who unfortunately shot a low percentage tonight.
Witney host the Sonics next Tuesday at Wood Green so make sure you come along and show your support for the last game of the season!
Owen Workman – 11
Gary Sollis – 5
Tom Shore – 4
Matt Jura – 4
Luke Gould – 2
Dave Shrimpton, Mark Ridgill and Tim Kenyon – 0
03.10.2010
Sometimes, it’s a matter of physical ability. No matter how mentally tough you are, or how much experience you have, it’s always gonna be tough to beat a team that’s younger, faster and more talented.
Oxford Brookes Eagles used an up-tempo offence and stifling defence to beat the Houstons 119-55 at Abingdon College. After racing to an early 14-2 lead and withstanding a gritty 2nd quarter comeback by Witney, the Eagles went to their full court press in the fourth to close the game out. “We just couldn’t cope with their speed”, guard Tim Kenyon commented. “The biggest problem was, how do we break their press?” asked forward Owen Workman. “The size of their guards gave us problems in the backcourt, which made it difficult to attack their defence.”
As is their custom, Witney regrouped at the start of the second period and made a strong comeback, cutting an 18-point deficit down to 9. The Eagles were held scoreless for several possessions as the Houstons found their rhythm offensively and forced a number of turnovers on the defensive end. Oxford were forced to look to their starting five to regain momentum, and managed to push the lead back to 19 by the end of the half.
Witney continued to have sporadic success offensively in the third, scoring down low and drawing fouls. Problems resurfaced defensively though, as Oxford used sharp ball movement and broke out for fast breaks to leave the visitors flagging. Midway through the final quarter the Eagles executed their full court press to put Witney away, with guard F Brobby scoring 19 of their last 21 points.
Witney were once again led by forward Matt Jura, who lit up the Eagles big men for 28 points. Backing him up were point guard Gary Sollis with 8 points, including two deep threes, Workman with 6 points and Kenyon with 4. Swingman Luke Gould provided his trademark hustle and continued to fearlessly crash the boards and lead guard Tom Shore anchored the backcourt and did a good job handling the ball. Oxford Brookes were paced by Brobby, who led all scorers with 39 points.
03.03.2010
Witney Fade against Old Rivals
Witney came into tuesday nights home game against Tham knowing that a Win was required to finish above them come the end of the season. Witney’s starting 5 were Matt Jura at Centre, Mark Ridgill and Luke Gould at forward and Gary Sollis and Tim Kenyon at Guard. They started well, and were 1 point up at the end of the 1st. Come half time and Witney were down by 3. This was not the end of the world as Witney were confident they could pull it back, but in the 2nd half and mainly the 4th quarter, Witney didn’t score well and gave away cheap baskets. Onto the positives, Matt Jura kept his MVP form which meant he once again wins Game MVP! Luke Gould came into the starting line up and did not dissapoint, chipping in with an above average points total and 19 Rebounds! Gary Sollis also put in a good performance, hitting a couple of important treys. Tim Kenyon was looking solid once again and chipped in with some valuable points. Another positive was for Owen Workman to get in a few minutes as he is still suffering from a viral infection and managed 5 points and 3 outstanding blocks with about 5 minutes playing time.
Honorable mentions to Dave, Mark and Alan for providing support in the post, and offering Matt Jura plenty of Assists!
Witney travel to Tham tomorrow (Thursday) looking for a Win which could determine who finishes 5th, which looks to be between Witney and Thame at the moment as the blazers and heat have fallen behind by too much and don’t have the necessary experience to finish the season strong.
Matt Jura – 16 points
Luke Gould – 13 points
Gary Sollis – 8 points
Tim Kenyon – 6 points
Owen Workman – 5 points
Tom Shore – 3 points
Dave Shrimpton – 2 points
Alan Davey and Mark Ridgill – 0 points
02.21.2010
Witney played Oxford Stealers, who only brought 6 players for their visit to WGS Arena.
Despite this, Witney got outplayed by the reigning champs, even though Witney continue to perform better against the Stealers than against any other Oxford Team.
After the first quarter, Witney were down by 4 which was unfair due to how hard Witney were running the Stealers. Witney’s only downfall was their accuracy. They were taking the right shots, but no-one seemed to be able to make a basket! The 2nd quarter, Witney were outscored 16 – 8 which was Witney’s worst quarter offensively. It finished 72-51 to Oxford Stealers after a run out in the 4th where Stealers out scored Witney 23-16. Witney will take positives but are still fielding injured players. Matt Jura with a dislocated finger, Owen Workman with Shin, ankle and wrist injuries and with the flu, and Dave Shrimpton with the flu.
Despite this, Witney put in a proud performance with most assists coming from Owen and Dave in order for Matt to Top Score again.
Matt Jura – 12
Owen Workman – 9
Gary Sollis – 9
Luke Gould – 6
Tim Kenyon – 6
Tom Shore – 5
Dave Shrimpton – 4
02.07.2010
Witney travelled to Aylesbury for the second time this season with effectively half a squad. 3 Members were ill, one was injured, and there were only 6 members who travelled.
Witney started with Dave and Matt in the post, Owen at Small Forward and Tim and Luke at guard, with Shorty on the bench. Witney started hard and led the Heat by 10+ in the first quarter. By half time the Heat had got themselves back into it, their points coming mainly from fast breaks. But in the end, Witney held out to a comprehensive victory, taking them to 5th in the table with 2 games in hand against the next 2 teams, Aylesbury and the Blazers.
Matt Jura – 25 points
Luke Gould – 12 points
Owen Workman – 12 points
Tim Kenyon – 9 points
Dave Shrimpton – 4 points
Tom Shore – 2 points.
12.16.2009
Witney Beat Oxford Blazers 87 – 59
Witney came into this game knowing that a victory was needed after a bad run of results, and after a great effort on Friday Witney got just what they deserved. They started hard, and had their best defensive quarter in the first. The starting 5 were Luke Gould, Tim Kenyon, Matt Jura, Dave Shrimpton and Owen Workman. Witney played to their strengths, which was height and power in the middle, and Matt Jura, Dave Shrimpton, Mark Ridgill and Owen Workman exploited this to great effect. In fact, Owen and Matt scored over half of Witney’s points between them. The Blazers only real threat was #15 M Sofiyani, who kept going through the middle and dropping floaters over the big men. A great all round effort from Witney ensures maximum points, and the least amount of points for the Blazers to climb the table. Witney’s offense improved each quarter, scoring 18 in the first, 22 in the 2nd and 3rd, and 25 in the third. Game MVP goes to Matt Jura once more for an absolutely incredible display in the post, and showing why he has become a regular starter as apposed to a bench player from last season. Read more
12.13.2009
Oxford Sonics 95 – Witney Houstons 57
We have travelled on Friday to Oxford to play against Oxford Sonics – as you do on Friday evening!
Although we lost, our team have left with good spirits as we had played well against one of the best teams in the league. Everyone got involved and contributed to the game, I think you can still hear the sound of Lukes body hitting the court after he tried to save the ball from going out of play (nearly taking the ref out – hi, hi 
). Great assists and scoring from Tim, Mark, Dave (Captain and Coach for the day), Huw and Matt.
And the shot of the game when Gary scored a three pointer from half way line in the last second – NBA style!
Next game is against Oxfords Blazers at home on Tuesday the 15th
Well played everyone.
Scores:
Matt Jura 16
Luke “Skeleton” Gould 15
Gary Solis 8
Dave Shrimpton 8
Tim Kenyon 4
Huw Vaughan 4
Mark Ridgill 2
PS Sorry guys if I got your scores wrong on the way back – I am still learning how to add
11.27.2009
Witney 64 – Thame 66
Witney travelled to Thame, knowing that a Victory by 30+ points was required to progress to the next round of the cup. At the start of the game however, T.Appleton of Thame said that they wished to field ineligible players, and forfeiting the match. This technicality is being checked, and the decision will be announced at a later date.
Back to the game, and Witney started hard like usual, falling by 2 points at the end of the first. They kept up with a team, who had 4 or 5 national level players on their roster, and were only behind by 3 come half time. Into the second half, and Tom shore and Owen Workman sat out most of the quarter, Tom Shore was feeling under the weather and Owen was nursing foot injuries. The third is where the damage to Witney was done. Witney lost that quarter 26 – 15, as Thame made shot after shot. Into the 4th and the starting 5 were back on (Workman, Jura, Ridgill, Shore and Sollis), and Witney were once again dominating. Witney won the 4th 19-9 but a late surge wasn’t quite enough for OT or a victory. Top scorers Owen Workman and Matt Jura win game MVPs with honourable mentions to Gary Sollis and Mark Ridgill for making everyone of Matt Juras Points. Witney played a 3 high for most of the game, with Ridgill coming up and collecting the ball at high post, passing a high ball to Matt Jura at low post for an easy basket. Read more
11.06.2009
Oxford 93 – Witney 64
Witney played the reigning champs from the last 3 years and put up a good fight.
Witney went into this game knowing that they had never beaten the Stealers, but still felt like they could get something out of this game if they put the effort in. From tip, (which Oxford won) Witney gained possession after an Oxford miss, Gary Sollis hitting his first “3” of the game to give Witney an Early lead. This was to be the only time that Witney would be ahead. After the first quarter, Witney were down by 12, and it only got worse from there.
Not putting Witney down, Oxford Stealers have 3 or 4 national league players, so it was always going to be tough. And Witney never gave up the fight, in fact the only negatives from Witney’s point of view were a few dodgy calls by referee’s and Matt Jura, Mark Ridgill and Tim Kenyon getting into foul trouble early on. In fact, Matt Jura had 3 fouls in the first quarter, so he had to be taken off to cool down and get his head back into the game, which he sure did as he continues to look likely to win most improved player. Tom Shore had another good game, getting 16 and keeping his PPG up. Luke Gould had another solid game scoring 4. Owen Workman finally got his finger out and played to the potential we know he has, scoring 20 against the best team in the league, doing it with style, and generally owning the post on offense. Highlight of the match has to be Owen intercepting a pass, bouncing it through an opponents legs, crossing up another then passing for the assist. Read more
