LEOPARDS coach Robert Youngblood cannot wait for this weekend's final four as his team look to end the season by lifting the Division One play-off crown.

The Big Cats won the competition last year with victories against Leicester Warriors and Derby Trailblazers, but Youngblood is looking to win a final four competition for the first time.

Youngblood and his team will face Reading Rockets in the first semi-final at the Amaechi Centre on Saturday afternoon, with the winner playing either Team Northumbria or Worthing Thunder in the final on Sunday.

The Leopards player-coach is well aware of the task facing his team.

"We've had two weeks to prepare," he said. "I've done a lot of scouting. They're a tough team to guard inside and out.

"He may be only 17, but Luke Nelson leads their team. As he goes, they go. We need to keep him under control if we're going to win the game.

"They also have two really good inside players in Ryan Lohfink and Danny Carter.

"They complement each other and play well together, they're tough around the basket and play smart. They're well-coached and organised, we'll have our hands full and we need to stick to our game plan.

"But I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone's fit and ready to go, and we're practising every day this week.

"We'll be ready for them."

Leopards have lost out in both of their games against Division One regular champions Rockets, this season.

A poor start in the home game was erased by a stunning second-half comeback and they could have won the game with the last shot of regulation time, before losing 84-76 in overtime.

The Rockets also finished strongly when the sides met at Rivermead in January, outscoring them 28-19 in the final period to win 74-63.

A TAXI firm boss is to receive £1,000 compensation from Brentwood Borough Council after the authority was rapped by the local government watchdog for poor record-keeping.

Graham Dinning, the managing director at Treble Twenty Cars and Couriers, got the Local Government Ombudsman involved after he became concerned about the safety checks the council was carrying out on his taxis.

Mr Dinning, 54, asked the ombudsman to investigate the council's emissions testing and brake calibration policy.

The investigation concluded that the council's mechanics only did a visual emissions test, which is not up to the standard of an MOT test – the level the authority said it would provide.

The watchdog's report also found that the council did not have any records to show that its brake-testing machine had been calibrated before 2010.

Mr Dinning said: "We have pursued this complaint to the ombudsman for public safety reasons.

"As a responsible taxi company, Treble Twenty pride ourselves in ensuring that, where possible, our cars are fully roadworthy and any defects are repaired immediately when they are brought to our notice.

"However, like all other taxi operators, we also rely on the six-monthly safety checks by the council to ensure our vehicles are in the best possible condition.

"I was horrified to find out that the council had failed to carry out their safety checks correctly over such a long period.

"If the council had found out that we had not carried out our safety checks correctly, it would have been screaming that we were putting passengers' lives in danger and would have justifiably taken our licences off us."

Mr Dinning, who lives in South Weald, added: "The council should not only be apologising to the trade for its failures, but to the public of Brentwood as a whole because it is them who may have been put at risk by the failure of the council to test vehicles correctly.

"The council systematically charged the trade for elements of the vehicle test that were either not carried out, or which were of such poor quality that they were meaningless, and they should refund the costs of the tests to the trade.

"If you went anywhere else and paid for a service that you did not receive then you would be entitled to your money back, but it appears that this does not happen when it's Brentwood Borough Council.

"It's one rule for them and one rule for us."

The ombudsman has instructed the council to pay £1,000 to Treble Twenty Cars and Couriers to compensate the firm for its "time and trouble".

The firm will be giving this money to the BBC's Children in Need Charity Appeal.

A council spokesman said: "Public safety is the council's primary concern.

"The ombudsman was satisfied that the brake-testing equipment was calibrated and so brake testing had been valid and in line with legal requirements.

"Emissions testing has been carried out over a number of years, although this is not a mandatory part of the licensing process. In 2010 we introduced improved emissions testing equipment though even with previous methods, public safety was not compromised.

"All minimum safety requirements have been met at all times.

"We are confident in the current high standards of all our testing and record-keeping."

BRENTWOOD'S U14 side have rounded off a phenomenal season by completing a league and cup double.

Having clinched the league title last week at the end of an unbeaten Essex 1 campaign, they followed it up by beating rivals Upminster 48-0 in the Essex Cup Final.

And the end of their superb campaign has earned them praise from Brentwood Rugby Club chairman Richard King.

"We have got several of our juniors who are exceptional but our U14s have been fabulous this year," he said.

"They've won the Essex 1 U14s and they've won the county cup and they've won it in style.

"It is a tremendous encouragement about the future of Brentwood Rugby Club that we have such a strong mini and Juniors and the club is really proud.

"In particular this year the U14s have been exceptional. They are an example of future excellence for our club.

"We've had several of our minis do extremely well at Essex festivals this year. Several of our youth teams have been league champions, very successful.

"I think we've got 21 players under the age of 18 in county representative teams, which I think is the most ever and at least two teams have won Essex 1.

"The U14s did the double which is fantastic, which makes them special."

Straight from the kick-off Brentwood pressurised the Upminster defence, with the forwards eventually driving over with Chris Palmer scoring the try.

Upminster then took the game to Brentwood, with Brentwood giving away a series of penalties, which eventually resulted in a period in the sin bin for the scrum half.

Brentwood's defence remained resolute, keeping out a series of drives by Upminster forwards.

Having withstood this pressure, Brentwood took the game to Upminster and scored three tries in a five-minute spell through Harry Swailes, Liam Batty and Henry Mead, with Toby Tierney successful with his conversions.

Max Kyle scored another try just before the break, Tierney again successful with the conversion, to effectively put the game beyond Upminster's reach, 33-0 to Brentwood at half time.

Brentwood made a series of substitutions at half-time, but the team was not diminished in strength.

Ollie Heazel scored a wonderful solo try at the start of the second half, and further tries from Batty and Mead, made the final score 48-0 to Brentwood.

With the suspected culprits of the Boston bombings now away from reach of causing harm, does this mean the threat has also been dismissed or is this just a warning to what may be to come? What we can be sure of is that for the rest of the world to drop everything, including America's close ally, Britain, and to hide in silence is only giving these people what they want. That is for them to hold all the cards.  

For the city of Boston in Massachusetts, and the Americans who turned out on 15th April to support those running the Boston Marathon, their world has exploded into complete chaos after the race came to an unexpected, frightful end. At the finish line, where inspirational runners normally collapse due to fatigue, it was not exhaustion which had the impact but the strong tremors which occurred from two consecutive explosions, forcing them to the ground.

Three people have been confirmed dead and 170 others wounded after the explosions, which are now believed to have been set off by two brothers, originally from Chechnya in southern Russia, who had only been living in America for about a decade. 13 seconds of time and 91 meters in distance separated the first from the second bomb and caused many people in the crowd, family and friends there to support the runners, to be catapulted into the air. The pavement was left covered in a sheet of shattered glass and the blood of the innocent whilst people left the most well respected marathon in the world with fewer limbs than they began the day with. The race spiralled into a state of panic with people feeling confused, shocked and in fear of their life. The city went into total lockdown with the transport system closed to ensure the containment of any possible suspects. This was a suspicious act of terrorism therefore it would have seemed vital to do all that was possible to not allow the culprits to escape.

It was not until the Friday night, that the suspected teenager, Dzhokhar Tsarnaey was found hiding in a boat in the back garden of the local resident who found him hours after the FBI released photos of the suspects. The police exchanged gun fire for at least an hour before they were able to subdue him. This was a day after his brother, Tamerlan his suspected partner in crime was shot and killed. Although in hospital, the younger brother has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and destruction of property resulting in deaths. It is possible that he could be sentenced to death and for many this would be seen as justice.

Initially, here in England, the effect of the incident on us was very much unknown meaning that to expect the worse and that the threat was more than just a planned explosion in Boston but that it was actually part of a larger terrorist plot seemed the correct approach to take. However, although this was a worry for the London Marathon which was supposed to take place within days of the attack this didn't turn people away from running or especially coming to support their loved ones who were, you could say, prepared to risk their lives for a good cause. This provides an accurate representation of the fight and bravery we as a human race have and shows that we do not tolerate terrorism and will not allow it to control us. As President Obama says "If anyone wants to know who we are; how we respond to evil and terror - that's it. Selflessly. Compassionately. And unafraid."

THREE people have been further charged in connection with a series of robberies in Wickford.
The victims in all of the incidents were lured to Wickford on the pretext of meeting a girl - after exchanging Blackberry Messenger pin numbers - but were then robbed by two men.
Tyrone Webb, 18 from Amity Road, Stratford, east London, who was charged with two robberies in Wickford on April 8 and 20, is further charged with robberies on March 24 and April 18. 
He is now also charged with wounding with intent on April 18.
Lorna Yeates, 21, from Doeshill Drive, Wickford - who was charged with one count of robbery on April 8 has been further charged with robberies on March 24, April 5, April 18 and April 20.
Daniel Beeson, 18, from Hurry Close, Stratford, east London, who was initially charged with robberies in Wickford on April 8 and 20 - and also with assault by beating on March 21 in Basildon - has been further charged with robberies on March 24, April 5 and April 18, wounding with intent on April 18 and perverting the course of justice at Basildon on March 21.
All three were remanded in custody when they appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Thursday April 25. 
They are to due to appear at Basildon Crown Court in early July for PCMH.
Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information should contact PC Steve Cross at Basildon CID on 101.

A MAN and a woman have been found dead in the swimming pool of a luxury hotel in Hatfield Heath, Essex.

Police were called to Down Hall Country House Hotel in Matching Road at about 7.35pm yesterday (Saturday April 27) following reports that a man and a woman had been found under water in the hotel's swimming pool.

Hotel staff and ambulance crews tried in vain to revive the pair but both were later pronounced dead at the scene.

The man, who was in his 30s, and the woman, who was in her 20s, are believed to be from the London area

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating and are treating the deaths as unexplained at this stage.

Post mortem examinations are to be carried out tomorrow (Monday, April 29).

A PERSON is trapped in a car after a road traffic collision on the A1114, Chelmsford, Essex.

Fire crews from Chelmsford and Great Baddow were called to the scene of the collision - which involves just one vehicle - shortly after 2pm this afternoon (April 28).

The incident is ongoing.

PEOPLE in financial difficulty are being urged to stay away from payday lenders and instead use credit unions as the economy bites.

Credit union Essex Savers is warning residents to avoid high-interest loans as the effects of the benefit cuts take hold.

The not-for-profit co-operative also claims that more and more benefit claimants are using the service as a result of unprecedented changes to the Welfare State.

"Because of the benefit changes we're helping so many more people," said Essex Savers' president Alison Davies.

"We are trying to get people on welfare benefits to join us so the transition to universal credit is simple and smooth."

She urged claimants not to use costly pay day lenders, whose annual interest rate can be as high as 5,000 per cent, compared to just 12.7 to 26.8 per cent at her credit union.

The problem, she adds, is that high street banks will only lend to people with good credit histories and amounts above £3,500.

Whereas Essex Savers will lend as little as £50, and up to £7,500, often for essential items like washing machines, fridges, baby clothes and home improvements.

When Matthew Walsh's 61-year-old sister-in-law died in Ireland, Essex Savers lent him the money he needed to get to her funeral.

"I was in a bad situation financially and I wouldn't have been able to go back until the credit union helped me out," said Mr Walsh, who is originally from Ireland.

The 56-year-old, of Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford, who turned to a credit union after falling victim to pay day lenders, said: "If I wasn't with the credit union I don't think I could have gone to the funeral.

"I used pay day loans and all that interest that I paid feels like such a waste.

"I like the simplicity of a credit union. I can get my pay in there and build my own credit history."

Essex Savers, based in New Street, Chelmsford, is staffed mainly by volunteers and owned by its members – and only money deposited by members can be lent out.

Gary Bugden, a landlord and part-time pizza delivery driver, said he struggles to even open an account at a high street bank.

The 52-year-old, of Brook End Road South, Chelmsford, said: "It's very difficult to even get a basic account with a lot of high street banks because they know they're not going to make much money out of you.

"The only way was to look at a credit union."

Katie Major, 30, of Malvern Close, Chelmsford, said: "A year and a half ago when I'd just started at the credit union the clutch went on my car – it was two weeks before Christmas, just before my daughter's birthday party. It was such a nightmare.

"I applied for a loan against my savings and managed to get my car fixed. If I hadn't been able to go to them I don't know what I would have done," she added.

"They help you save for a rainy day and stop you from spending money needlessly. It helps people get a bit more confidence."

The scheme is open to anyone who lives or works in Essex and now includes limited companies as well as social clubs and Scout groups.

Organisations can deposit up to £15,000 with repayments based on individual circumstances.

Membership starts at £4 for adults and is free for under 16s.

For more information, visit www.essexsavers.co.uk or call 01245 496314.

A "UNIQUE" gym exclusively for children aged 13 has opened in Billericay to help stop children "sitting around and playing computer games".

Meera Khalfan, 26, is opening My Gym, an exercise and activity facility which caters for the younger generation.

The centre in Radford Way is the first UK franchise of a company that started 30 years ago in California.

Originally from Dubai, Miss Khalfan now lives in Billericay where her mother and grandparents are based.

She lives in Radford Way and since starting work on the plans last year, she is excited to be opening.

The former corporate banker said: "We want children to learn a healthy lifestyle at an early age – this is more important today with computer games and kids tend to just sit around.

"My Gym will be a great opportunity for them to get their energy out and have a safe environment in which to do so, especially with the rise in obesity and fast food.

"People are surprised when they hear it's a gym for children, but they're not going to be doing weights or running on the treadmill. It's much more of a combination of a kid's class and a gym.

"It combines elements of a gymnastics hall but also a sports centre."

Miss Khalfan said My Gym is a children's activity centre with structured classes for children aged six weeks to thirteen years.

She said: "The idea was developed by psychologists, physiotherapists and cognitive therapists.

"With the younger ones the classes involve singing, dancing and games and as they get older we incorporate more sport and things like relay races – the tasks progress as they get older.

"It's not just about fitness and develops their social skills and confidence and allows them to understand friendship and co-operation."

Miss Khalfan said the gym has lots of special equipment including a ball pit and zip line while the building itself is "colourfully decorated".

She added: "We have had lots of interest and a really good response. Lots of children have been signed up before we've opened."

There is already an up-and-running restaurant on site, The Pea Pod Café, which serves healthy food for children and adults.

Cafe manager Elaine Reilly, 53, said: "The centre will be good for Billericay as it's quite unique.

"We want to educate people, not scare them and make them realise that healthy food can be really nice.

"I don't think anywhere else caters for families like this.

"We hope to set up cookery classes in the near future too."

The gym will host a series of open days from tomorrow until May 5, which will give children the chance to try classes for free.

TWO university students are set to bring "affordable" entertainment to Essex this summer after their music and dance festival was given the go-ahead.

George Hughes, 21, and Chantelle Dyson, 19, are the masterminds behind the Big Garden Festival in Danbury and hope to attract up to 1,000 people to the village over one weekend.

The pair, who met at the Central School of Speech and Drama, say their two-day event will be an alternative to Chelmsford's massive V Festival at Hylands Park in August.

George, who lives in London, said: "It was very important for us to get the go-ahead. We have discussed this project since the beginning of last year and a lot of man hours have gone into the event.

"It's taken a good six months contacting all the local authorities. We have just got to bring it all together now."

The festival will take place over the weekend of August 10 at the Outdoor Centre on Well Lane after Chelmsford City Council granted the pair permission on Wednesday, April 10 to stage live music.

They were told they were allowed to serve alcohol at the event, which will run from midday to 10pm on the Saturday, and from midday to 7.30pm on the Sunday.

Chantelle added: "I am really excited now we have got the licence – it's a really great thing to do.

"What we really aim to do here is provide an affordable option for families."

Miss Dyson, of Great Leighs, said the festival would promote local artistic talent.

But at the licensing and committee meeting, several residents raised concerns over the noise and potential rowdiness of the festival.

"We take all concerns into consideration and we are here to work with local residents," said George.

He said all profits raised would go to Danbury Scouts Group and other charities.

A day adult ticket costs £15, a full weekend ticket £25 and a full weekend camping ticket £40. Children under five go free.

ON THE second Saturday of every month, Chelmsford's Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre is playing host to a special brand of football aimed at the disabled.

Powerchair football has been taking place at the centre for almost three years, and the event continues to go from strength to strength.

Such is the progress of the players that the Essex County FA are now looking to create a team to compete in a regional league.

Playing in chairs costing around £4,000 each, the event gives the participants a taste of competitive football, and the Essex County FA's senior football development officer Ian Bent admits it is a great activity to be involved in.

"It's very good and the participants get a lot out of it, and that's what it's all about," he told the Chronicle.

"It's been going on for nearly three years now. It started with Children in Need funding and it's coming up to the end of their third and final year in the summer.

"It's self-sustaining now with the support of the Essex FA and hopefully it can kick on and continue for as long as there are players there who want to take part. We've got about 13 or 14 in total and average eight or nine for every session.

"We've got a core group of four or five who turn up every month and then a group of eight or so who tend to come every other month, or one in three."

As time has progressed, the skills have improved and Bent is hoping the group can continue to go from strength to strength.

"The ultimate aim is to have a team go into a regional league in this area," he added. "We're the only group in Essex, but Kent have a really strong Powerchair team and most counties now are trying to set up Powerchair groups and teams.

"The Riverside group have already played a couple of friendly matches and the idea is to have them step up to a level where they can participate in a league as a team which would be great.

"The main thing is obviously being able to experience football – or Powerchair football.

A TEENAGER who began a karting career in Brentwood is setting her sights on a spot on the Formula 1 grid.

Molly Hart, 16, had her first taste of racing at Brentwood three years ago, and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

She was second in the 2011 Brentwood Karting Championship and then went one better last year by winning the Championship.

She also has set a lap record at the Essex track, and is currently competing in the Rotax Arena series.

And despite being the only girl currently racing in the series, she is impressing, winning the Top Novice prize. That success has also been repeated at Rye House, and she also managed to come fifth in one event there.

For her 16th birthday last year, she was treated to a trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where she met Lewis Hamilton.

She said: "The Grand Prix was the most amazing experience, and only made me more determined to achieve driving in F1.

"I got the opportunity to go to the McLaren factory and spent time with Lewis Hamilton. He is a great inspiration.

"He told me to follow my dreams – he wrote that message on my helmet – and that is what I am doing!"

She has also received support and advice from Susie Wolff, who is currently a test driver for Williams.

In total, only five women have ever competed in Formula 1 - and three of them never managed to qualify for a race.

The subject of women in Formula 1 has been a hot issue in recent weeks after former driver Sir Stirling Moss told the BBC that he believes women do not "have aptitude to win a Formula 1 race".

Molly's mum Tracey added: "She is exceptionally ambitious to achieve more and to become a racing driver in cars."

"Potential sponsors can email Tracey213@btinternet.com."