WNBL1 recap: 5/6 October - live streams, stats and more

The WNBL began October with some high-quality contests, exciting fans across the country.

Five games played out across the last few days, with wins for CoLA, Manchester and others.

Ipswich also wrapped up their Betty Codona Trophy group with a loss against Essex Rebels, with the WNBL standouts having to field a young roster following a number of recent injuries.

We take a look back at all the weekend's action below, with links to live stats at the bottom of the page.

Worcester Wolves (0-2) 55-65 Brent Bulls (1-1)

Brent got their early-season form back on track as they claimed a road win against Worcester, coming out on top 65-55.

The Bulls won each of the first three quarters to gradually stretch their lead out to 50-37 entering the final 10 minutes, meaning an 18-15 Worcester win in the final frame didn't hurt the Londoners.

Judit Fritz (24pts, 5reb, 4ast) was solid for Brent, though her 1/8 clip from long-range suggests she is still easing into her usual levels of form despite the overall output.

Imogen Youd (11pts) and Vanessa Akra (11pts, 10reb) also played well for the visitors, with Lindsey Cleary absent from the game day roster for her new team.

Carolina Marques (22pts, 3reb, 3ast) once again showed her quality for Worcester, but with Nina Wallace (12pts, 7ast) the only other Wolves player to pass seven points, the hosts struggled for offence throughout.

The Bulls now have a week off from league action before they head home to entertain Bristol, whilst Worcester will do the same on the 19th as they welcome Cobham and hope to avoid an 0-3 start to the season.

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Brent's Judit Fritz (Flo Alalade)

Elsewhere this weekend

Anglia Ruskin University (1-1) began the weekend with a 62-53 victory against Barking Abbey (0-2).

ARU enjoyed 18 points from Nadege Talva and 16 more from Tia Freeman, with Nicole Clancy (22pts) leading the way for BA as they slip to 0-2.

Playoff champs CoLA Southwark Pride (2-0) eased past Cobham Cobras (1-1) 61-52, handing the newly promoted side their first loss of the season in the process.

Ayla Habbal (25pts, 5reb, 5ast, 3stl) did a bit of everything for the hosts, also shooting 57% from the floor, as CoLA remained unbeaten on the new season.

Dominique Davis was the standout for Cobham with 20 points in 28:11 of action.

Saturday ended with a defeat for Bristol Academy Flyers (1-1) as they went down 60-51 against Manchester Mystics (2-0).

The Flyers started brightly behind a 13-9 opening frame but came unstuck following a 23-10 third quarter that was powered by Manchester's Elizandra Costa (15pts).

Rehana Khalil (8pts, 12reb, 6ast, 6stl) stuffed the stat sheet for the North West side, with Kim Kheing (15pts, 9reb, 4stl) the standout for Bristol.

Yesterday's only other game went the way of Loughborough Riders (2-0) as a last-second triple from Melissa Leet sealed a 67-64 victory over Reading Rockets (0-2).

OT looked to be looming in Berkshire before Leet (8pts, 8reb) drilled her dagger shot, sealing a comeback for Loughborough as they had trailed by four at the half.

Alicia Guerra Rainford (21pts, 9reb) played well in defeat for the Rockets, and her battle with Loughborough's Alex Shaw (21pts, 10reb) was a good one.

Manchester's Rehana Khalil (Harry Collins)

SLB Trophy

A youthful Endeavour Ipswich Basketball side came unstuck against seasoned SLB campaigners Essex at the weekend, with the Rebels running out to a 91-60 win.

Playing without a number of their starting roster, including reigning league MVP Harriet Welham, Ipswich gave a good account of themselves before falling away late, including losing the second half 42-22.

Teenagers Louisa Gibbins (16pts, 15reb) and Maisie Keyes (13pts, 10reb, 5ast) both showed their class, but it wouldn't be enough against 29 points from Taylor O'Brien and a 17-point, 20-rebound double-double from from Australian NBL One star Brooke Flowers.

Following the game, Ipswich head coach Nick Drane said: “This was an unbelievable experience for our academy girls, and one that we will be able to draw on throughout the season.

"Due to some unexpected circumstances we were without four key players and that gave me the chance to throw our WEABL team in at the deep end – and they did the whole programme proud.”

This weekend's results:

Saturday 5 October

3:45pm - Anglia Ruskin University 62-53 Barking Abbey

5pm - CoLA Southwark Pride 61-52 Cobham Cobras - LIVE STATS

5:30pm - Manchester Mystics 60-51 Bristol Academy Flyers - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM

Sunday 6 October

2:30pm - Worcester Wolves 55-65 Brent Bulls - LIVE STATS / LIVE STREAM

3:45pm - Reading Rockets 64-67 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS

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Main image credit - Worcester Wolves