WNBL1 Preview: Week 3 (16/17 October 2021) - live streams, stats and more

There are another five games across D1W this weekend as only a quartet of unbeaten teams still remain.

Loughborough, Solent, CoLA and Ipswich are yet to taste defeat this season, whilst five other teams are still searching for their first victory.

We take a look at all the action below, with links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.

Reading Rockets (0-2) v Worcester Wolves (1-1)

It's been a slow start to the year for last season's sixth-place finishers Reading, who take on Worcester Wolves this weekend.

Reading have stumbled to losses against CoLA and then Cardiff, with last weekend's defeat against the 2020/21 basement side coming as a particular shock.

The Rockets' 56.5ppg is second lowest in the division amongst teams that have played two games, and there have been similar struggles on the glass, with a league third lowest rate for rebounding (29.5rpg).

Still, Candela Hermida Nunez (16ppg) and Gaila Comesana (12.5ppg) have both started the season well and offer hope of improvement.

Worcester's two games so far have largely gone to form, narrowly beating Bristol before losing out to a top three 2020/21 outfit in Loughborough. No doubt the Wolves will hope to add to Reading's struggles on Sunday to stay in the mix for a top four spot, but nothing is a given in D1W.

American wing Chandre Nunez averages 18ppg for the former D2 winners, whilst teammate Shona Williams pulled down a team-high eight rebounds off the bench last time out.

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Elsewhere this weekend

CoLA Southwark Pride (2-0) will try to keep their unbeaten streak alive as they welcome Thames Valley Cavaliers (1-1). The Cavs are a difficult team to place so far, having narrowly lost on the road to reigning champs Ipswich before blowing out NTU.

Undoubtedly a tough match up for any team, a trip to CoLA will shed some light on if TVC sit more top four or top eight in this season's early going. 

Winless London Lions II (0-2) came close to toppling Ipswich last weekend, eventually coming up just short in the 59-56 contest.

Through two games Fatmata Janneh looks like a star, with averages of 26.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.5apg and 2.0spg. It's only a matter of time before the talented wing carries her side to a victory and Nottingham Trent University (0-1) will need to keep the youngster quiet if they're going to avoid a second successive defeat.

Loughborough Riders (2-0) have so far enjoyed a Player of the Week performance from Sacha Lecuyer and a Team of the Week selection from Alia El Shabrawy, with the duo helping the Riders to a perfect 2-0 record. Bristol Flyers (0-2) are the next side tasked with slowing down coach Chamberlain's programme, a tough ask for a Flyers team currently shipping 76ppg.

Finally, Reigning Player of the Week Issy Bunyan takes to the court on Sunday as Cardiff Met Archers II (1-1) entertain Anglia Ruskin University (0-1).

Bunyan recorded a rare 5x5 performance last weekend of 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, seven steals and six blocks as Cardiff beat Reading 72-65. Anglia Ruskin began their 2021/22 schedule with a home loss to CoLA but another statistical explosion from Bunyan could leave the current WNBL National Cup champions with an 0-2 record. 

This weekend's fixtures:

Saturday 16 October

1pm - Loughborough Riders v Bristol Flyers - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

2pm - London Lions II v Nottingham Trent University - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

Sunday 17 October

1pm - Cardiff Met Archers II v Anglia Ruskin University - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

2:30pm - CoLA Southwark Pride v Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS

2:30pm - Reading Rockets v Worcester Wolves - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

Main image credit - Luke Simcock