It was an intriguing and busy Saturday in the WBBL Championship as Durham Palatinates made the headlines by putting a major dent in the title hopes of Leicester Riders.
They completed an eye-catching 77-68 home floor success against their opponents, with former Riders’ star Dee Hayward haunting her ex-employers with 14 points and 10 assists.
Nottingham Wildcats had a day to remember as they eased their way to a 76-61 victory at Oaklands Wildcats to record a landmark 100th WBBL win as Simone Costa led the way with 18 points.
There was drama in the WBBL Game of the Week shown live on YouTube as Newcastle Eagles pipped Essex Rebels 70-68. A big crowd enjoyed a super contest, but the locals didn’t get to see the victory they craved. Lisa Koop was the difference-maker with a brilliant 16 points and 14 rebounds, although another four Eagles players also posted double-digit scoring returns.
Finally, in another eventful contest, Manchester Mystics managed to avoid being upset at home against Caledonia Pride. They squeezed out a 73-68 triumph thanks to 22 points from Sam Roscoe and 14 points from recent signing Lauren Thomas-Johnson.
WBBL Championship (All Games)
Durham Palatinates 77-68 Leicester Riders (16-19, 36-39, 60-54)
(Palatinates – Cierra Ceazer 14, Dee Hayward 14, Claire Paxton 13; Riders – Brea Elmore 21, Kate Oliver 18, Sara Hinriksdottir 17)
Manchester Mystics 73-68 Caledonia Pride (19-23, 42-40, 57-58)
(Mystics – Sam Roscoe 22, Lauren Thomas-Johnson 14, Dom Allen 10; Pride – Hannah Robb 19, Ella Doherty 15, Pollyanna Storie 10)
Essex Rebels 68-70 Newcastle Eagles (17-17, 29-37, 48-57)
(Rebels – Jessy Ward 18, Beth Sarson 14, Ellie Shaxon 13; Eagles – Lisa Koop 16, Anja Fuchs-Robetin 15, Mante Kvederaviciute 14, Giulia Simioni 14))
Oaklands Wolves 61-76 Nottingham Wildcats (16-19, 35-45, 48-63)
(Wolves – Anneke Schlueter 23, Claire Abbott 16, Lizzy Harrison 13; Wildcats – Simone Costa 18, Siobhan Prior 16, Jasmine Joyner 11)