The Championship returns with a bang this weekend as ten teams take to the court over three days of captivating action.
Top of the table Sevenoaks Suns host Cardiff Met Archers on Friday in front of the BBC Sport cameras.
The home team ended 2017 with the only unbeaten record in the Championship and having already bested Cardiff, earlier in the season, the side from Sevenoaks will be confident of maintaining their advantage over the chasing pack.
For the visitors the contest provides a welcome return to the court having enjoyed a prolonged festive break.
“We are all extremely eager to get back and start playing games again,” enthused Eilidh Simpson.
“The team is refreshed and ready to go. It’s been a long time since our last fixture and the teams around us have now played two or three more games than we have.
“We believe we can really make a run in the second half of the season and break into the top five. That was our goal at the start of the season and I think we still have a great chance of making this happen.”
The Great Britain international is enjoying an impressive first season in Wales, ranking among the league’s top ten in rebounds, assists and free throw percentage. Typifying Cardiff’s newly established competitiveness, Simpson believes the Archers can improve on their last encounter with Sevenoaks and cause an upset.
“We fell just short when we played the Suns in Cardiff earlier this season. It was a close game that could have gone either way.
“It was a disappointing loss because we know we didn’t play consistently for the full contest. If you’re going to beat the top teams in the league you simply can’t afford to switch off for any period of time.
“We are confident, however, that when we play our best we can beat anyone in the league.”
Elsewhere, Leicester Riders face Oaklands Wolves in Saturday’s only contest.
On Sunday, BA London Lions begin the year at home, Manchester Mystics the visitors. The team from the capital will be hopeful the New Year brings better fortunes and a first win of the season.
Cardiff and Leicester take to the court for a second time as the sides meet in Wales. The Archers face another testing encounter as the Riders bid to close the gap between themselves and the league leaders.
Finally, Durham Palatinates return to action against local rivals Team Northumbria before Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters take on Caledonia Pride to close out the weekend.
WBBL Fixtures Friday
Suns v Archers – 5:04PM
WBBL Fixtures Saturday
Riders v Wolves – 4:30PM
WBBL Fixtures Sunday
Lions v Mystics – 1:30PM
Archers v Riders – 2:30PM
Palatinates v Northumbria – 3:00PM
Hatters v Pride – 4:00PM
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