SWINDON Shock fell at the final hurdle as they lost 96-91 to Northants Taurus in their National League Division Four play-off final.

The loss signalled the end of a superb season for the New College-based side, who had wrapped up the National League Division Four South West title before enjoying their most successful play-off campaign.

“It was a little bit disappointing but not overly. I am just glad that the players have had the experience,” said Shock player-coach David Colclough.

“We definitely wanted to win but it wasn’t like we played poorly, because we played really well. They were just the better team on the day. I looked at it and told the players we missed 11 free-throws, if we made half of those, we would be playing to win the game.

“It was amazing because we played to the last game of the season. Most teams were at home and we got to play in the biggest arena that England has to offer for National League basketball.

“You couldn’t ask for any more than that. My attitude towards it was we lost it but now we can go and win it next year.

“It was a great game and a learning lesson for both the players and coaches. As a coach, I need to learn to trust my gut instincts. I went with a zone look in the third quarter and Northants just isn’t a team you can play zone against. That decision was a quick way for them to extend their lead to 12 points.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my team. We went out for dinner after the game and we said we were going to celebrate what we have done because no other Swindon team has achieved it.

“There was one point in the season where we lost to Southampton and we thought that we were over.

“Then we kept winning, ended up winning the league and had a chance of winning the play-offs. It is just good motivation for the younger players.”

With the club set to move up to National League Division Three South, Colclough believes this is the perfect opportunity to grow the popularity of basketball in the town.

“For too long, Swindon has been a bit divided in terms of basketball because you have the Swindon Cavaliers, Swindon Silverbacks and the Wiltshire Wolves,” he added.

“Now we have Shock for those who want to play basketball at National League and if they want to play at local level they can join the Silverbacks or the Wolves."