London United end losing streak

London United broke their five-match losing streak in style with a victory over Leicester Riders for the fourth time this season, reports Ronan Murphy

After being trounced by league leaders Sheffield last Friday, United needed to get themselves back in to play-off contention. Leicester were arriving triumphant after a good win over Chester Jets, but a fine all round performance from United brought them back down to earth.
Yet again, United’s talisman Tarick Johnson led the line. At the start of the match he received the official BBL award for Player of the Month. He confirmed his status as the hottest marksman in the league with another top scoring display, as he ran in thirty points.
Once again he received admirable support from Marlin Capers. The two combined to make crucial breakthroughs in the second quarter, scoring most of the points in a 20-2 burst that left United in control for the rest of the game. Despite the Riders clawing back to within five points by half time, United were able to maintain a healthy advantage.
The Riders proved to be resilient opponents, with centre Andrew Alleyne equalling Johnson in the points scoring stakes, also netting thirty. Alleyne dominated the net at both ends, achieving seven defensive rebounds and eleven offensive ones. His ten first-quarter points cancelled out an early surge from United that saw LaTyrell Williams and Junior Williams hit three triple-pointers between them. Leicester edged into a 25-24 lead before being pegged back in the second quarter.
The second half of the match saw the Riders fail to move any closer than five points to their opponents. Valuable contributions from Bryant Feggins and Steve Ogunjimni kept United ahead until they finished with an 89-81 victory.
The win means United move above Leicester in the league table. Both sides have identical win-loss records overall, but United’s superiority over the Riders in their head to head match-ups sees them better placed in the standings. This leaves them well placed to make a late charge for the play-offs in the last five games of the season.

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Orient's Disappointing draw with Oldham

Leyton Orient dropped two valuable points after a late rally from promotion hunting Oldham. Despite the sending off of striker and goalscorer Gary Alexander, the Os held a 2-0 lead until Oldham came back strongly in the last 15 minutes, writes Ronan Murphy

Alexander put Orient a goal up in the 13th minute, finishing smartly from a tight angle. In an even first half, Orient troubled Oldham with a number of high balls into the box, aided by a strong wind. Alexander was perhaps unfortunate to pick up his first yellow card when the referee judged him to have deliberately stood in the way of a quickly taken but directionless free kick.

He saw red for a second yellow card in the 49th minute after a mistimed tackle on Oldham’s Will Haining. This was the cue for Oldham to pour forward in numbers, peppering Glynn Garner’s goal with shots.

Garner had an excellent game with a great save from Neil Eardley as one of the highlights. His best moment came when one of his own defenders diverted the ball towards goal and he made a reaction save to cling on to the ball on the goal line.
When Oldham did beat him they found themselves denied by the woodwork. Paul Warne smashed a 25-yard pile-driver against the bar, while Leon Clarke and Craig Rocastle also hit the upright.

Orient looked to have weathered the storm and sealed the game in the 70th minute when they broke from their own half and Jason Demetriou played in substitute striker Gary Hooper, who lobbed Pogliacomi in the Oldham goal. It was his first goal for the club on his debut after being loaned from Southend.

Oldham refused to give up and renewed their onslaught. On 73 minutes the Orient defence fell asleep and influential Andy Liddell delivered a deep cross to the far post for the unmarked Chris Taylor to head home.

Just eight minutes later Oldham completed their comeback when Richie Wellens was brought down in the box by Brian Saah. Liddell converted the penalty to set up a grandstand finish, which saw Garner produce two more fantastic saves to deny Wellens and Warne. In stoppage time Oldham had the ball in the net, but Clarke’s rebound tap-in was judged to have been offside.

Orient boss Martin Ling said he could not complain about the result. “Looking at how the game went, it’s a point gained and not two lost. There is a touch of frustration because we were 2-0 up, but they hit the woodwork three times had one saved miraculously on the line by Glynn Garner, so a draw was fair.”

The draw saw Orient’s unbeaten run stretch to six games. They seem to be peaking at the right time in their bid to stave off relegation. “It’s a good little run we’ve got going,” said Ling. “There is resilience in this team. Our destiny is in our own hands.”

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Kids watch for free

CHILDREN are being offered the chance to watch Leyton Orient’s next three home games for free as the club look to boost their support base, writes Ravender Sembhy


Matches against Scunthorpe, Northampton Town and Doncaster Rovers will be free for under-16s, provided they are accompanied by an adult and ticket orders are placed in advance.

Barry Hearn, Leyton Orient chairman, said: “We're always looking at new ways to encourage more supporters, particularly children as they represent the future of Leyton Orient. We are the third worst supported club in the division and only a very small percentage of the local community come to our games, but, hopefully, this initiative will encourage plenty of new people through the gates.

“The team have been playing some good football lately and have been climbing the table, so bigger crowds behind them should lift them."

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'Tapeball' Cricket back for another year

WITH THE Cricket World Cup well and truly underway, Hackney’s youngsters will once again get the opportunity to take part in Tapeball cricket this summer. Ravender Sembhy sees why cricket training is knocking London for six.



Now in its third year, the Tapeball Cricket Project in Hackney, organised by Opportunity Through Cricket, is an initiative that offers young people from inner cities with poor recreational facilities the chance to play a slightly different version of cricket.

Tapeball cricket originated on the sub-continent and uses a tennis ball strapped with tape, to make it heavier and less bouncy, and involves teams playing a shortened form of the game.

The programme will involve all the major estates in the borough.

Matt Delaney, regional director of Sport England London, who is overseeing the scheme, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the Tapeball Cricket Project. This is clearly a project that is going to make a significant difference to the local population of Hackney and will help to not only break down perceived barriers in sport, but also improve health and well-being of all sections of society, especially those that do not normally take part in sport and physical activity.”

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ONE-ON-ONE Interview with…Jonathan Stebbins

With the cricket season looming and the Cricket World Cup underway, Ravender Sembhy catches up with Jonathan Stebbins – captain and star batsman for Hackney-based Old Fallopians. Averaging over 100 runs per innings, Australian-born Stebbins looks forward to the new season and reflects on Australia, the World Cup and life in London.




You were born and raised in Sydney; how does it compare to London?

They’re a bit like chalk and cheese really. They are physically and culturally very different. London is a very diverse place. You have the people who have been here forever, but there are always lots of new people moving in: Poles, sub-continentals, Africans - you’ve got everything here, that’s what I like about it.

What is the standard of cricket like in Hackney?

[Laughs] The idea is to have fun. If you win that’s great, but it’s more about enjoyment. The great thing about Old Fallopians, cricketing standards aside, is the exotic nature of the players we have had over the years. We’ve had Indians, Pakistanis, New Zealanders, South Africans and even a Pole taking part. The club brings people from all over the world together. And we’ve had two women playing as well, one of whom was very good.

What do you think of Old Fallopians’ chances this season?

I think we’ll put on another thrilling display of entertaining cricket that will have the crowds in raptures. To be honest, the highlight of the season is actually the annual barbeque put on by the club and the DVD release of our season’s highlights – which will be available in a box set if anyone is interested.

Do you think you’ll have another successful season with the bat?

I hope so. I just try to keep my eye on the ball and it’s good that I’m captain because I’m able to choose where I bat in the order. This means that if the opposition has a few quick bowlers opening the innings, I’m able to avoid them by moving myself down.

Who do you think will win the Cricket World Cup?

I reckon three teams have a good chance: India, New Zealand and Australia. India have a great batting line up and New Zealand have been in good form. As for Australia, they’re just a great all round team and are always going to be favourites.

Who do you want to win the World Cup?

I just want it to be a good World Cup. The major teams will definitely get through to the latter stages, but who knows.

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Hackney chess club blitzed

Check mate for Hackney chess club, writes Ravender Sembhy

HACKNEY CHESS CLUB suffered a crushing 3.5 – 1.5 defeat to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday in the final of the National Club Championship Major. Francis Chin, playing for Hackney, started off poorly by losing the opening game of the tie, and the team never recovered. The Hackney team was blitzed by the golden trio of Scholes, Musson and Bedwell for Tunbridge, who put on an awesome display of chess wizardry to lift the coveted plate.

The defeat is the second in succession for Hackney, who also lost to Wanstead 4.5 – 1.5 in the North Circular Chess League last week, a major setback in their quest for Championship glory. The match saw pawns drop like flies and castles capitulate en masse, as league leaders Wanstead romped home in a one-sided affair.

The defeat leaves Hackney five points adrift of Wanstead and effectively ends their Championship hopes for the season.


North Circular Chess League Division 1

Position Team Pld Pts

1 Wanstead 1 9 11
2 Wood Green 6 9
3 Barking 1 5 8
4 Hackney 6 6
5 Barnet Elizabethans 7 5
6 Waltham Forest 7 0

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Olympic Budget Rise

THE OLYMPICS budget rose last week to £9.3bn, but it remains unclear what effect this will have on Hackney’s sporting venues, writes Chris Green




The revised budget, which comes to nearly four times the initial estimate, will see £5.3bn spent on construction costs. Mayor Ken Livingstone has pledged £300m, but this money will not be raised through increased council tax or transport costs.

Specifics of the money set aside for east London have still to be finalised, but it is hoped that the Hackney’s proximity to developments such as the 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium and indoor Velopark will increase sporting participation long after the Games has finished.

But there are worries that existing sporting venues will be cleared to allow redevelopment to take place. The decision to turn Hackney’s East Marsh, currently used for Sunday league football matches, into an Olympics car park has enraged local residents.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “We can assure anyone in eastern boroughs such as Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets who are worried about the effects of building work that their areas will benefit immeasurably from the Olympic Games under the current budget.”

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