Friday Feeling

It may only be early in the season but there are plenty of story-lines to keep an eye on.

All eleven teams will take to the court this weekend over a busy two days in the WBBL, three teams still searching for a first win of the season.

BA London Lions have made an 0-2 start having been beaten by Leicester Riders and Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters in their opening two games.

The Lions are on the road on Saturday as they face a Cardiff Archers side full of confidence having found a renewed sense of excitement and camaraderie within the ranks.

That, according to star summer addition Eilidh Simpson, has the team from Cardiff thinking like a top five franchise.

“We have a great mixture of new and returning players. It’s fresh and we’re excited to play together: everyone has bonded and gelled extremely well.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get over the line the past two games but we’ve shown we’re a tough matchup and we can compete with anyone in the league. Our mindset is that of a top five team, every time we go out on court.”

Welsh international Chloe Richards is relishing the chance to shed the perennial “underdog” label that has preceded Cardiff in previous seasons.

“It’s going to be a thrilling year and I’m looking forward to playing with such a talented bunch,” she enthused.

“We have high expectations and strive to be one of the top teams in the WBBL this season.

“Coming so close to beating Nottingham last week has given us plenty of confidence. We are hungrier than ever to record our first home win.

“BA London Lions like to run in transition so we will need to have a defensive mindset and maintain our focus throughout the four quarters. If we follow our game plan and come out fighting a win is more than achievable.

“We have yet to reach our full potential, however, and continue to grow as a team from one training session to the next. The best is yet to come!”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Oaklands have the chance to get off the mark when they travel to Oriam Scotland to face Caledonia Pride – who tasted defeat for the first time in their last outing.

Team Northumbria take on Leicester Riders with Nottingham Wildcats going up against Durham Palatinates to end the day’s proceedings.

Team Northumbria and Oaklands Wolves will turn out once again to tip off Sunday’s action at Sport Central. Before Durham Palatinates welcome Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters for another chance to record their first victory of the season and in doing so inflict the visitor’s first defeat.

Sevenoaks Suns then round out the weekend at home, Manchester Mystics the guests. The side from Lancashire sit fourth in the table just two points behind their undefeated hosts.

WBBL Fixtures Saturday

Pride v Wolves – 1.00pm

Northumbria v Riders – 4:00pm

Archers v Lions – 5:30pm

Wildcats v Palatinates – 5:30pm

WBBL Fixtures Sunday

Northumbria v Wolves – 2:00pm

Palatinates v Hatters – 3:00pm

Suns v Mystics – 3:00pm

#BritishBasketball