Match day programme-9-10-22 Newcastle cup game

LET’S GO PATRIOTS

are a Plymouth based regional building contractor delivering construction projects across the whole of Devon & Cornwall. Obedair have over 30 years experience of delivering projects across all sectors from £25,000 to £4m in Value. Our sectors include Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Defence, Commercial, Industrial, Heritage and Clinical. We work on a B2B basis ensuring delivery on time on our projects whilst saving money for our clients in the process.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

Words from the Chairman - Carl Heslop

I really can’t believe how quickly we have arrived at our first home game for the patriots second season, it seems like only 5mins since we finished our previous campaign.

Since then, we were proud to bring so many of our previous roster back over the summer with some exciting additions to the playing staff. Unfortunately, as professional sport does to teams at times, we have been really unfortunate to not be able to have all those signings on the court this season, but we have tried our best to adjust quickly to support the team.

Injuries can decimate teams and we unfortunately are suffering at the front end of the season already. However, the spirit in the group is high and we continue to battle as hard as we did last season to remain competitive in this league. We have some very exciting players that on their day can give problems to any team. We certainly haven’t seen the best of this team this season yet and it’s exciting to see what they can do with a consistent injury free period.

Off the court we continue to grow with the largest youth pathway the city has ever seen, and I am immensely proud of the opportunities we have for all age groups, genders, and abilities in Plymouth. More news to share regarding this

with further announcements planned but the volume of people playing basketball now is much greater than last season which is absolutely brilliant for everyone involved.

We face a Newcastle side today who will be desperate to get revenge for the Patriots knocking them out of the play-offs. Although they haven’t had the best of starts and there aren’t points on the table, they will be looking with their bigger budget to stamp their authority and progress to the next round of the cup.

I unfortunately due to a bereavement will have to miss my first home game and I’m really going to miss a busy pavilions but sure you will all raise the roof to cheer our players on against a very tough Newcastle side.

So, with new sponsors, partners, and a brandnew kit to show off for the first time at home we have a lot to be proud of as a club with a huge amount of progress made on and off the court this season.

I would again thank everyone for their continued support this season and look forward to another exciting campaign of twists and turns with the best fans in the league.

LET’S GO PATRIOTS!

Good afternoon and welcome to the Pavilions as we host the Newcastle Eagles in this BBL Cup first round game. The eagles are now coached by Mark Steutel and assisted by Gary Stronach.

Newcastle is very much a new look team this season having brought in Steutel as their new head coach after a disappointing season by Newcastle Eagles standards. The roster has changed significantly except for Darius Defoe who continues what has been a wonderful career with Newcastle.

This is going to be a very exciting season with the league format changing to playing each team four times and the BBL Cup and Trophy competitions reverting to being knockout competitions.

We have been fortunate to be able to retain a few players from last season’s amazing inaugural campaign. Elvisi, Troy, Antonio, Rashad, Joe, and Dan all returning for another season. We have added some good talent in Markedric Bell, James Hawthorne Jr, Isa Brandon, Sam Keita and more recently Patrick Lanipekun. Yet still we are young

team and I’m excited to see how we develop as a unit over the course of the season.

Everyone knows by now that Joe Hart is out for the remainder of the season having undergone knee surgery on Monday. This is a huge blow for the team, but we must find a way to fill this massive hole left by Joe’s absence!

It’s fantastic to be back playing In front of you amazing supporters, the best in the BBL. I hope that we will be able to give you plenty of exciting and enjoyable games over the course of the season.

I extend a warm welcome to the Newcastle Eagles coaching staff and players for this BBL championship match.

ENJOY THE GAME.

GO PATRIOTS!

JUNIOR LEAGUE TIMETABLE

Whitleigh Warriors – U12

Mondays – 17.50pm -18.50pm

Sir John Hunt School

Whitleigh Warriors – U14

Mondays – 16.50pm -17.50pm

Sir John Hunt School

Saltash Suns – U12 Mondays – 6pm - 7pm

China Fleet Country Club

Eggbuckland Bucks – U12

Wednesday – 16.30pm -17.30pm

Eggbuckland Community College

Eggbuckland Bucks – U14 Wednesday – 17.30pm -18.30pm

Eggbuckland Community College

Plympton Pacers – U12 Wednesday – 17.00pm -18.00pm

Plympton Academy

Plympton Pacers – U14

Wednesday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Plympton Academy

Estover Suns – U14

Wednesday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Tor Bridge High School

Estover Suns – U12 Friday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Tor Bridge High School

Girls – U16 Friday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Stoke Damerel Community College

Plymouth City Thunder – U14

Tuesday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Stoke Damerel Community College

Plymouth City Thunder – U12 Wednesday – 18.00pm -19.00pm

Stoke Damerel Community College

Marjon Magic – U12

Tuesday – 16.00pm -17.00pm

Plymouth Marjon University

Marjon Magic – U14

Tuesday – 17.00pm -18.00pm

Plymouth Marjon University

The Ocean Group is a local business run by business partners, Kevin & Karen Dawe. Based in Plymouth we have been providing skilled electricians for commercial projects on a continuous basis since 2014. We primarily focus on industrial installations but cover all aspects of the electrical industry including commercial and domestic, which gives our apprentices a wide range of skills.

Ocean Electrics South West Ltd prides itself on training apprentices

Since its establishment in 2010 we have trained 15 apprentices with a further 5 at various stages through their training.

ROST

S2 Group Services Ltd was formed in 2015 by directors Mark Symes and Leigh Spencer who between them have over 30 years experience in the mechanical sector. S2 Group Services Ltd design, coordinate, supply and install all sizes of project with the minimum downtime and operates with maximum efficiency.

The team works closely with our specialist sub-contractors and clients to integrate all mechanical systems. Our project managers provide a bespoke programme to suite our clients requirements to ensure we deliver within budget and on time.

We work across the commercial, industrial, and public sectors and in heritage properties, providing bespoke solutions.

A break away from inflexible ways of working; a positive culture with better interaction with clients. This is Beverston.

Too often clients of accountancy firms don’t feel valued. They’re just a number in the filing cabinet. In our line of business, building positive relationships matters. Our purpose is to understand our clients’ businesses, their problems and aspirations. Listening gives us the understanding to provide a better value service, which is advisory, attentive and tailored to the client’s needs.

Whether you’re a start-up or an established family business, it makes a refreshing difference.

We work in partnership with Xero. Xero provide simple accounting software which enables small business owners manage their finances in real time. Our team are experts and can provide support wherever you are.

We are delighted to have been involved with the birth of Plymouth City Patriots and proud to be supporters. We look forward to getting together with friends and family to cheer on the team.

Caruana

MATCH REPORT

CHESHIRE PHEONIX 71-78

It’s fair to say in these modern times that very often sporting events fail to live up to the hype attached to them, regardless of the situation, athletes involved or the magnitude. If anything the Patriots season opener, on the road to Cheshire Phoenix, was massively under hyped. A furious battle ensued from the opening tip off and both teams were reluctant to give any leeway defensively, which meant every basket was a struggle and every loose ball a battle. After a torrid first half, there was little between the two sides heading into the break, despite the Patriots opening up by a double digit lead. Cheshire rallied, as has been their trademark now for a number of seasons, closing the gap to just six points at the interval. There would be no change to the intensity of the game in the second half, with both sides continuing the strong defence and tough offensive plays. However, it would be the Patriots that managed to find another gear, stringing together a number of unanswered points and stretching their slender lead to seventeen and hoping to secure the win and finish the final quarter strong. Once again, however, the Phoenix would rise from the ashes, forcing a number of turnovers and defensive stops, whilst scoring consistently at the other end, to reduce the deficit to single digits. The game reached fever pitch, and both teams had a number of players approaching their fifth foul and with a little over five minutes remaining, a nightmare slowly unfolded for the Patriots, as they lost three key players to foul trouble, in just 60 seconds. Rashad Hassan, Sam Keita and the immensely impressive Isa Brandon all fouled out, leaving the Plymouth side short handed down the final stretch. Sensing blood in the water and despite their own star player, Larry Austen Jr, sidelined through injury, the Phoenix once again turned up their intensity and managed to make it a five point game, setting up a very tense final two minutes. The Patriots managed to hold their nerve as time expired, with a game winning put-back dunk from James Hawthorne Jr, from an Antonio Williams drive. Final score, 77-71 to the visiting Patriots.

The Patriots benefited greatly from overall excellent team play, with what appeared to be a squad that has already gelled together well. As well as exceptional team play, the Patriots also enjoyed some outstanding individual play from Troy Simon’s ( 12 points and 8 rebounds), Isa Brandon (12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks), and the Patriots MVP, Antonio Williams (27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal). Williams showed grit and determination down the stretch and after the early exit of Hassan, Brandon and Keita. It meant the former Kent State Golden Flash couldn’t afford the luxury of taking what would have been a well earned rest, instead having to see out the remaining minutes and very much take over the offensive burden for the Patriots. “It was well worth making the trip,” said Williams in his post game interview, “We came here and got the win, which is what we planned for. We came here to take care of business…” The games MVP was understandably in great spirits after the win, adding, “Like I said before, this season we have

unfinished business and I warned everybody what would happen this season. Now we have to keep going and build momentum.”

Head Coach Paul James was also in high spirits after his side notched up their first win of the season, saying “I’m feeling great! We’ve had a tough pre-season, but we prepared for this game well over the course of the week… I thought the guys came together really well and showed a lot of resilience tonight, in a great win.” Coach James was also asked about the team’s ability to take the win, despite losing a core of the team to foul trouble late in the game, adding “I think a lot of that is down to the preseason we’ve had. We’ve had some tough games. The fact we saw the game out shows a lot of maturity and composure down the stretch, which we haven’t done in the past, so that’s a good sign as well… I’m really delighted to come up here and get an away win.”

The Patriots performance was most certainly a positive one, showing composure and confidence down the stretch, to take the win away from home against a tough Cheshire opposition. One of the largest positives is perhaps how the two young Patriot prospects, Sam Keita and Romario Spence, coped with being thrown into the rotation late in the game, now proving that they can certainly hold their own against hardened BBL players. However, there was no light that shined brighter than that of Isa Brandon, who has returned to Plymouth showing great improvement on his previous seasons, slipping seamlessly into the starting lineup and giving the Patriots a solid defensive foundation. Plymouth City Patriots are back in action on the 2nd October, when they take on the Giants in Manchester.

MATCH REPORT

GIANTS 92-79

The Plymouth City Patriots suffered their first defeat of the season over the weekend, at the hands of one of British basketball’s hottest teams, the Manchester Giants. Spirits were high mid week and in the build up to Sunday afternoons matchup, with the Patriots announcing a brand new five year deal with Marjon University. Marjon, more than happy with the direction and sustainability of the Patriots, gladly put pen to paper, with a number of details benefiting both parties. Plymouth City Patriots will be supporting all Marjon basketball programs, including coaching the men’s and women’s BUCS teams and introducing a National League team, which will be called the Plymouth Marjon Patriots, starting this year. In return the professional team will gain access to the wealth of facilities at Marjon, including the sports hall, weights studio, sports massage therapists, nutritionists, sport psychologists and the squad has even made use of the swimming pool already this season. Also this week the Patriots have released their first podcast of the season, a weekly podcast that will feature interviews with players, coaching staff not to mention this week’s interview with team owner Carl Heslop, who in the first episode talks in depth about the Marjon five year deal and the potential venue change.

The venue for Sunday’s game would be Belle Vue, Manchester for a much anticipated showdown with the Giants, a fixture that last season possessed great drama and excitement. This season would certainly be no different, and the pace of the game from the outset was blistering. Fast break after fast break unfolded throughout the first half and neither team seemed comfortable setting a steady offence. It would be the Giants that took the upper hand leading into the halftime interval, after the Patriots failed to hit their open shots. Possession after possession passed by for the Patriots, who during this time were able to work through the tough Giants defence and find open shots, however, the ball just wouldn’t drop through the hoop.

The second half started brightly for the Plymouth side, ide, who briefly found their rhythm in the shape of Antonio Williams, who scored 14 points in the third quarter alone, to cut the Giants 17 point lead to 7. The home side however, would find another gear and behind two of their summer signings, William Lee, former Leicester Rider and Tajh Green, who had a formidable shooting night, managing 69% from the floor would stretch the lead back to double digits. The Giants never looked back and despite a late rally from the Patriots, the home side held on for the win, 92-79. Head Coach Paul James reflected on his side’s loss in his postgame interview, saying “We had a slow start, and in the first half we didn’t compete at all... In the second half we played much better, we were more aggressive and I was really pleased with Markedric Bell’s first game for us. We’ve got some things to work on...”

The positives, although relatively scarce after such a game, are that Isa Brandon once again proved he is more than capable of containing the BBL’s best players. His perimeter defence kept both Dirk Williams and two time MVP Rahmon Fletcher to minimal stats during the game and will potentially cause any opposition problems when they face him. One other positive is that the Patriots managed to keep things respectable, despite shooting at such a poor percentage. On another night this game could have been a closer affair and it will be interesting to see how the remaining three fixtures against Manchester will play out.

The Patriots are in action again next week, away at Bristol Flyers on the 7th October in the league, before heading back to Pavilions for the first home game of the season against Newcastle Eagles, in the BBL Cup, Sunday 9th 3pm.

GRAPHIC DESIGN CREATIVE HERO

This is me! I can be found in the middle of the 2nd row on game days. Come and say hello. Or contact me on email if i’m not here.

How do you choose the right people to create your brand, conceive your next ad campaign, or design packaging for your new product? There are numerous agencies and freelancers in the Plymouth area alone, many producing strong creative work. Clearly, you need to check their portfolios and fees. But, crucially, you also need to know how they work and why they design the way they do.

Great design is as much about function, as it is about being beautiful. My approach is to understand your plans, assess the challenges you may face, and find effective solutions to realise your goals. Whatever the job, I aim to produce design that increases recognition in your target audience, tells your story and prompts customers to choose you over your competition.

Just speak to my clients and see what they have to say.

“THE GUY’S A GENIUS”

Click the button to play my archive reel. And don’t forget to check out my latest work on my website.

OFFICIAL BRAND & DESIGN PARTNER OF

~ Carl Heslop, Obedair Construction & Patriots Chairman