Three-peat playoff champs Sheffield Hatters II are now out of the picture as they elected not to enter a team for 2024/25, and with fellow playoff finalists Cobham Cobras enjoying life in D1W, the race to Manchester's National Basketball Performance Centre is wide open as the new campaign begins.
The City of Birmingham Rockets started the season with a win. Sarah Mullgrave scored 17 points, and Grace Brownell added 13 in a 57-54 victory over Charnwood Riders.
The Rockets started brightly, leading 36-27 at the break. However, a strong second half from the Riders made it a nervy last few minutes for the 2022/23 WNBL2 Playoff finalists before sealing the win.
Team Solent Kestrels began life in Division 2 with a 67-49 loss to Hemel Storm, who are aiming for a post-season spot, having narrowly missed out in their debut campaign last term.
After a bright start, Solent led by ten points at half-time, and Hemel struggled to find their groove; the Storm found a higher gear in the third, winning the period 31-5 to pull clear.
Emily Taylor led the Storm with a game-high 21 points, supported by 11 from Lil Fredrick. Matilda Goddard led the Kestrels' charge with 11 points.
Ipswich’s women enjoyed a hat-trick of wins this weekend, as their D2 side joined their D1 side in the win column as they secured a 64-59 success over Thames Valley Cavaliers II.
Despite Sarah Wagstaff coming out of retirement and posting 17 points, it wasn't enough for Cardiff Met Archers as they went down 74-60 to neighbours Cardiff City.
A 20-10 first quarter set the tone for an experienced City side, led by Sarah Taylor's 25 points, as they kept a young Archers outfit at arm's length throughout.
Oaklands Wolves II put on a solid all-round display as they eased past London Thunder 75-50 to begin their season with a win.
30 points from Sarah Round secured a first win for the Milton Keynes Breakers as they dominated from start to finish, to come away with 76-56 win at Bromsgrove Bears.
And despite being held to just six points after the first quarter, Plymouth Marjon Women recovered to respond with a 21-8 second period to pull clear of the Nottingham University Wildcats, 60-48, in the lone Sunday game in the Midlands.
1:15pm – Cardiff City 74-60 Cardiff Met Archers
3pm – Endeavor Ipswich Basketball II 64-59 Thames Valley Cavaliers II
3pm – Hemel Storm 67-49 Team Solent Kestrels
4:15pm – Oaklands Wolves II 75-50 London Thunder
5pm – City of Birmingham Rockets 57-54 Charnwood Riders
5pm – Bromsgrove Bears 56-76 Milton Keynes Breakers
2:30pm – Nottingham University Wildcats 48-60 Plymouth City Patriot Women
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Words by John Hobbs
