Essex & Herts Leopards 83 (24,41,65)
Colchester United 60 (8,15,36)

Game Photos from www.tgsphotos.co.uk

Game Stats courtesy of Statsman - www.statsman.co.uk

Laurent Irish led the way with 25 points as Leopards powered their way into the National Cup third round with a comfortable win at Wodson Park, on Sunday.

The Big Cats were never in trouble against a side a division below them, and effectively had the game wrapped up by half time as they led by 26 points. The only disappointment for Jon Burnell’s team will have been the suspected fractured cheek-bone suffered by shooting guard Brian Moore, after he clashed heads with one of the visiting players early in the fourth period.

Colchester took an early lead, but it proved to be brief, and by the midway point of the first period Leopards had gained control as three-pointers from Irish and Sam Salter pointer gave them an 11-6 lead. From there on it was plain sailing for the Big Cats, as three points from Irish helped them open a comfortable advantage, and the first break arrived with the home side leading 24-8.

Despite the efforts of visiting guard Joe Matthews, who had trials with Leopards during the pre-season period and finished the game with 22 points, Colchester were never able to get close to the home side. Seven points from Steven Ogunjimi, who ran the point for the Leopards in the absence of Skye Buck who was ineligible, and four from captain Matt Eames helped the hosts reach half-time with an almost unassailable 41-15 lead.

The second half saw the Big Cats take things easy, with coach Burnell able to run his entire roster. Irish took his total to 19 and American centre Troy Selvey doubled his tally to 12 as Leopards shaded the third period 24-21, to take a 65-38 lead into the final break.

The injury to three-point specialist Moore clearly took Leopards’ mind off the game during the final period, but although the home side were outscored 24-18, they comfortably moved forward into the last 16.

Leopards: L Irish 25, T Selvey 18, S Salter 10, S Ogunjimi 9, M Eames 7, R Lloyd 6, E Seaman 6, B Moore 2, E Gregory.