The Essex Rebels gave their Head Coach Ashley Cookson an early gift for the holiday season as they powered to a 23-point road dub against the Cardiff Met Archers on Tuesday night.
The story of the game
Spurred on by the unstoppable Darcy Rees, who again notched a huge double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds for the visitors, Essex won every quarter at Cyncoed as Cardiff continued to endure a tough start to the season.
Archers Head Coach Stef Collins will have been boosted by the continued positive performances of Haylee Saurette (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Jenna Hoschouer (17 points, three rebounds, three assists), but their contributions weren’t enough to slow a Rebels side who have looked like a side capable of challenging at the top of the table so far this season.
A tight first quarter which the visitors edged 20-23 was the closest the Archers got to sending the Rebels back down the M4 with a loss to add to their record, as a strong second quarter for Essex gave them a 10-point cushion going into the interval.
The Rebels continued their dominance in the second half, eventually securing their 23-point winning margin, but it was the variety of contributions from across the roster that will have pleased Coach Cookson the most.
Six players on the roster (four of five starters) scored in double digits and three of them had over eight rebounds – with Rees leading the way by pulling down 15 boards – in a dominant display on the boards that saw the Rebels (52) double the haul of their hosts (26) in that regard.
Both sides will have plenty of time to regroup and re-energise over the holiday period as the Archers don’t step back onto the court for competitive action until January 6 when they host the Manchester Giants, and Essex have a week longer to wait for action as they get set to battle the Leicester Riders at home on January 13. A full draw for the Trophy competition will be released in due course!
UNBEATABLE Player of the Game
Who else!? Darcy Rees takes UNBEATABLE Player of the Game honours for the Rebels after another unstoppable performance, notching 25 points and 15 rebounds on the night, cementing her status as one of the most must-see bigs in the British Basketball League!
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Essex Rebels | Darcy Rees | 25 | 15 | 2 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Hayley Saurette | 23 | 11 | 3 |
| Essex Rebels | Katherine Tudor | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Jenna Hoschouer | 17 | 3 | 3 |