Home teams largely dominated in Week 2 of the WNBL Division One season, we’ll take a look at all four games from this past weekend to find out which teams picked up the points.
Facing the prospect of an 0-2 start to their regular season title defence, Bristol dug deep and produced the goods as they beat Loughborough 63 - 51.
The Flyers can thank their stingy defence for playing a factor in the win as they held the travelling Riders to just 16 first half point, including winning the opening quarter 14-3.
In a low scoring contest where only two players made it to double digits, Maialen Zilbeti’s 16 points made a big difference for Bristol as Erin Hikin top scored for Loughborough with 12.
Ipswich moved to 2-0 on the season as they beat Southwark Pride 84-73 in their home opener. A 20 - 8 3rd quarter proved too much to overcome for the travelling Pride, and Harriet Welham shrugged off any potential injury fears with 37 points.
Joining Ipswich at the top of the standings are Anglia Ruskin after a comfortable 88-58 win over Thames Valley Cavaliers. 22 points from Madeline Homoly and a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double from Katrin Hulme were the stand out performances for the Rhinos as Thames Valley suffered their 2nd defeat to ARU in as many weeks.
Finally, Team Solent Kestrels got their season underway with a tough road win in Reading, beating the Rockets 65-60. The hosts fought back late to try and get something from the contest, but they’d left themselves with too much work to do despite winning the final quarter 25-20. Krisztina Velkey top scored for the Kestrels with 18 points.
CJ Lee, Team Solent Kestrels Head Coach: "This was a great first test for us and we have to thank our second team for providing a useful wake-up call the previous week. Reading is a really tough, young team who will no doubt improve as the season goes on. For us, I’m please to leave with a win, but what’s more important is what we will learn from today’s game."
What did Coach have to say after the first win of the season ✈️ pic.twitter.com/7nvczUTbTP
— Bristol Flyers Women and Girls (@BrisFlyersWomen) October 5, 2019
3:00pm - Ipswich 84 v 73 Southwark Pride
3:15pm - Bristol Academy Flyers 63 v 51 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS
4:00pm Anglia Ruskin University 88 v 58 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS
4:30pm - Reading Rockets 60 v 65 Team Solent Kestrels
There’s another quartet of games in D1W next weekend, headlined by a 1st plays 2nd tie as Ipswich travel to Anglia Ruskin. Southwark Pride will look to try and bounce back as they host Team Solent, and Thames Valley hit the road to play Barking Abbey.
Nottingham Trent are the only team who still haven't started their season, but that’ll end next Saturday as they host the 1-1 Reading Rockets.
Main image credit: Luke Simcock
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