Copleston hosted another Ipswich Basketball Club home double header on Sunday in the National Cup first round, opening with the U16 Girls squaring off against Southend Saints.

Captain Ash Pink started strongly for Ipswich, getting to the rim at will, while solid team defence meant the home side edged the first quarter.

With the score tied at 26-26, and three minutes to go in the half, a nasty ankle sprain ruled the captain out of the remainder of the game.

Southend capitalised, edging away as the game went on, en route to a 60-43 win.

The Under-18 Men were also in cup action against Oaklands Wolves, and started strongly behind the hot hand of James Andrews, the starting forward scoring all eight of his points on 4/4 shooting during a first quarter in which the hosts simply blew the opponents off the court en route to a 22-8 lead.

In the second quarter, defensive lapses allowed Oaklands to gain a foothold in the game, although the offensive onslaught continued, led by captains Rory Winter and Mark James, as Ipswich led 50-32 at the half.

The teams traded baskets throughout a second half which the visitors edged and the home side cruised to a 87-75 win.

Following the game, coach MacDonald said: “I think we’re better than we’re showing right now, but this win allows us to progress in the competition and continue building towards where we want to be.”

The Ipswich U14 Girls travelled to Norfolk Iceni and put in a dominant performance, claiming a 96-20 win.

Georgie Musson led the way for a balanced Ipswich attack with 15 points, Scarlett Copping had 14 points, and Emily Baker and Ella Pearson had 11 points apiece.

In the rest of the weekend’s action the Under 16 Boys hosted Newham in a battle of two unbeaten teams.

Despite leading going into the fourth, the visitors came away with the spoils, 91-77.

Also unbeaten, the U13 Boys travelled to Newham, in London, coming home with a 49-43 win.

The U14 Boys took on Southend Swifts in a nip and tuck game, which went to overtime.

Lewis Tebbit’s long-range effort skipped out on the buzzer in a 78-77 loss.