WNBL1 recap: Week 20 (26/27 February 2022) - live streams, stats and more

Week 20 provided plenty of twists and turns in D1W as the season continues to edge towards the playoffs.

Bristol grabbed a key win over Ipswich, Solent beat ARU and CoLA Southwark Pride maintained their position at the top, though Loughborough are still close behind after a two-win weekend.

There's a recap of all the action below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats. We'll have a full write up later today.

Cardiff Met Archers II (7-9) 48-73 CoLA Southwark Pride (15-1)

CoLA Southwark Pride continue to tick off the games between now and the end of the regular season, winning once again this weekend as they beat Cardiff 73-48.

Picking up their fifteenth win of the season behind another staunch defensive effort, the hosts were restricted to 11 points or fewer in three of the game's four quarters.

That allowed CoLA to lead 38-29 by half time before eventually pulling out of sight in the final 20 minutes.

As has often been the case this season, CoLA forward Isi Ozzy-Momodu was the standout for her side. Her 15 point, 14 rebound double-double (including six offensive boards) set the tone for the visitors, as Emily O'Connell (18pts, 6ast) and Funmi Amode (10pts, 10reb) both played well.

Amber Deane provided the main source of resistance for the Archers, she had eight points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

Elsewhere this weekend

Loughborough Riders (13-3) got their double-header weekend off to the best start possible, extracting some revenge for last weekend's defeat on London Lions II (4-14) as they won 69-47.

Forward Louise Rouse was the standout for the visitors, falling just short of a double-double as she closed on 21 points (7-8 shooting) and nine rebounds.

Thames Valley Cavaliers (11-4) enjoyed a productive back-to-back series against  Reading Rockets (4-12) taking both games as the Rockets fell into the relegation mix.

Saturday's 76-59 victory came courtesy of 18 points from Ellie Bishop, as Katherine Goldsby picked up the slack on Sunday. Her 26 point, seven rebound performance pushed TVC to a 71-60 win.

Anglia Ruskin University (10-4) recent good form came to an end at the hands of Team Solent Kestrels (9-7), with the National Cup finalists coming out on top 64-53.

Krisztina Velkey-Cleeve was in stunning form in this one, the talented guard put together a 14 point, 19 rebound, 4 assist outing, overcoming Kat Hulme's 12 point, 15 rebound double-double in reply.

Nottingham Trent University (1-16) couldn't use a relegation scrap with Worcester Wolves (5-10) to change their fortunes as they lost out 81-42. 

Chandre Nunez did the work for the Wolves, her 20 points led all scorers are NTU are now all but confirmed for bottom spot in D1W.

Bristol Flyers (8-11) did the season double over Ipswich on Saturday, winning a close one 70-67.

Leading by seven points late in the fourth, the hosts just managed to hold off the Suffolk side to escape with a value two points in the race for the post season.

Mai Zilbeti starred off the bench for the Flyers, she had a team-high 15 points to go with four assists, whilst Olivia Forster (21pts) and Cameron Taylor-Willis (11pts, 16reb) both played well in defeat.

Thing's didn't get any better for Ipswich yesterday as they lost again, this time going down 90-86 against Loughborough.

Alia El Shabrawy shook off a few recent slow performances to re-emerge with a 13 point, eight rebound, six assist effort, as Ava Battese's 27 points and seven boards wouldn't be enough.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 26 February

1pm - Loughborough Riders 69-47 London Lions II - LIVE STATS

3:30pm - Reading Rockets 59-76 Thames Valley Cavaliers

3:30pm - Team Solent Kestrels 64-53 Anglia Ruskin University - LIVE STATS

4pm - Worcester Wolves 81-42 Nottingham Trent University - LIVE STATS

5pm - Bristol Flyers 70-67 Ipswich - LIVE STATS

Sunday 27 February

1pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 71-60 Reading Rockers - LIVE STATS

2:15pm - Cardiff Met Archers 48-73 CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

3pm - Ipswich 86-90 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

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Main image credit - Luke Simcock