There’s a quartet of games in WNBL Division One this weekend as three undefeated teams remain and one side is yet to begin their campaign. We look at all four games covering the 12/13 October weekend in out weekly preview.
As the two sides currently occupying the top spots in D1W, both Anglia Ruskin and Ipswich have enjoyed a solid start to the season. Only one side will remain undefeated after this weekend though in what is sure to be a cracker of a game.
ARU’s two wins so far have come against the same team thanks to a quirk in the schedule. Beating Thames Valley Cavaliers 86-70 then 88-58 in back to back weekends saw the Rhinos move to 2-0, with Katrin Hulme’s 19ppg a big reason why.
Ipswich's season started with a bang as they grabbed a statement win against defending regular season champions Bristol Flyers. That victory was backed up by an 84-72 home win against Southwark last weekend, leaving Ipswich with an opportunity to claim another big name here as they roll through their early season schedule. With Esther Little still out injured, finding a way to win during October is setting Ipswich up for a solid looking campaign.
2018/19 result – Anglia Ruskin University 89 – 71 Ipswich
The division’s only other unbeaten side, Team Solent Kestrels (1-0), face another test on the road as they head to South London to take on Southwark Pride (0-1). Solent did the double over the Pride last season, including a 63-53 win on their travels, no doubt Coach Gibbons’ side would like to put a stop to that streak tomorrow.
Barking Abbey Lions II (0-1) suffered a heavy 81-42 defeat to Reading last time out, they need to pick themselves up as Thames Valley Cavaliers (0-2) come to town. Both sides will be looking to get into the win column and grab a little momentum in the process.
Saturday’s other fixture sees Nottingham Trent University begin their maiden season in D1W as they host Reading Rockets (1-1). NTU completed a perfect season in 2018/19, turning a 12-0 regular season record into playoff success. They’ll be hoping to take the step up to D1W in their stride against a young and talented Rockets outfit.
2:00pm – Barking Abbey Lions II v Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS
4:00pm – Anglia Ruskin University v Ipswich - LIVE STATS
6:30pm – Southwark Pride v Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS
6:15pm – Nottingham Trent University v Reading Rockets - LIVE STATS
Main image credit - Colin Tucker/Ipswich
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