Basketball: Rebels upset by referee

Feb 27 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

A CONTROVERSIAL two-minute spell at the start of the second half put paid to any hopes that the Coca-Cola Rhondda Rebels had of putting some daylight between themselves and their nearest Championship rivals Sheffield Hatters.

A shock loss for Sheffield at home to Solent Suns the previous day meant that the Rebels could seize the initiative in the race for the league crown.

However, an entertaining clash which seemed destined to produce yet another classic encounter between the teams was spoiled by some poor refereeing decisions that effectively killed off the Rebels’ chances and ended the game as a spectacle as they lost 86-72.

With the scores tied at 46-46 the game was turned on its head when five fouls were called in less than two minutes on the Rebels’ American duo Kirby Copeland and LaNedra Brown, decisions that undoubtedly had an impact on the final outcome.

Brown, who was only on one foul in the first half, quickly saw that change as she was deemed to have fouled three times in a matter of seconds and coach Andrea Congreaves was forced to take her off.

And before the Rebels could regroup, guard and leading scorer Copeland was fouled out of the game after yet another dubious call which left the Rebels reeling with 18 minutes still to go.

A Rebels Spokesperson said: “You expect referees to make mistakes, but what happened in Sheffield was beyond acceptable, they should never be allowed to effect the result of a game and should be held accountable.

“We will be writing to England Basketball with video evidence although we are not expecting the result to be changed.”

In the Rebels other game on the weekend they easily saw off the Uwic Archers 102-67.