With nine of the Wildcats having been involved in an epic battle a few minutes previously in the u18Õs against Stockport, the chances of a good quality performance was thought to be a long way off against the league leaders Northampton who are one of the best two teams in the division.

Wildcats took the lead though Mr Hundred Percenter, Craig Hopkins with two successful foul shots in the first minute. Back came Northampton who cut loose with eight unanswered points to lead after five minutes 8-2. Ed Parry, John Brackett, Phil Chamberlain and Hopkins again from the line, plus a driving layup, gave Wildcats a solid base from which to work with a 11-4 spell as Wildcats retook the lead 13-12. With three minutes of the 1st quarter remaining Northampton regained the lead 17-16 despite another brace from the foul line from Hopkins. Northampton threatened to run away with the game with six unanswered points to lead 16-23 Wildcats ended the first quarter with a 9-6 run to close the gap to just four points 25-29.

Northampton started the second quarter 7-0 to lead 25-26 and although Wildcats tried to make inroads with their own 6-4 return, Northampton took complete control with a 2-12 two minutes spell to lead after seven mins of the second quarter 52-34. Wildcats refused to lie down and finished the half with a 6-2 flurry to turn around at the break 40-54.

The half time talk was about making sure Wildcats started well and despite Brackett opening the scoring for Wildcats, Northampton capitalised on Wildcats poor offensive decision making to enjoy a 12-0 run to lead 66-42. Wildcats fought hard to get back in the game and enjoyed the better of the exchanges 13-12 of the closing four minutes of the third quarter, to be 21 points adrift 79-56.

The final quarter was a total disaster as Wildcats lost all rythem and balance, and saw poor pass, dribble and shot selection result in scoring only four points in the last quarter to Northants 33.

John Bracket became the third player behind Stevens and Head to play more than 200 minutes, Hopkins inmcreased his foul shooting record to eight successful foul shots from eight attempted, Whilst Phil Chamberlain became the first u16 Wildcats to grab 50 defensive rebounds, Whilst Head gained the unwanted distinction of becoming the first this season to lose possession of the ball more than 50 occasions.

Wildcats performance over the first two quarters was excellent against one of the top teams in the country, and if they can repeat this performance for the rest of the season for 40 minutes then Wildcats will win a few games before the season draws to a close