Caledonia Gladiators 90-66 Durham Palatinates
Starting Fives:
Caledonia Gladiators: Samantha Roscoe, Hannah Robb, Ariadna Pujol, Laken James, Kirsty Brown.
Durham Palatinates: Janika Griffith Wallace, Elle Hendershot, Sophie Klassen, Eliza Brault, Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby.
The Caledonia Gladiators were in dominant form as they booked their place in the Playoff Semi-finals following an impressive victory against the Durham Palatinates.
First Half
On a day where Chantelle Handy announced that her glittering playing career was coming to an end, she masterminded a Playoff victory that tells us the Great Britain legend could well have a similarly successful coaching career in her near future.
A 29-12 first quarter was a sign of the dominance Handy’s Caledonia Gladiators showed from the opening tip in this one, as they left the Palatinates reeling at PlaySport with the Scottish trio of Kirsty Brown, Erin McGarrachan and Hannah Robb in particular setting the tone.
With the likes of Janika Griffith Wallace, Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby and Elle Hendershot in their ranks, the Palatinates weren’t going to be down and out for long and in the second quarter the vicitors responded well to win the period and cut the gap to 11 going into the final 20 minutes.
Second Half
Coming out for the third period, it was clear that the Gladiators weren’t willing to give their opponents another opening as they blitzed the Palatinates to the tune of 27-12 in the following 10 minutes, with Sam Roscoe contributing in a big way for the home side as well.
With Griffith Wallace’s form having been excellent for the Palatinates throughout the season, but particularly in recent weeks, the Gladiators game plan was very effective in limiting her and forcing her into turnovers.
The Canadian guard – who broke the single-game scoring record for the League this season with 50 points against Manchester – was held to just 10 tonight, which was her joint-second lowest total of the season, and Durham desperately missed that scoring as the Gladiators walked away 90-66 winners at the end of the game.
Player of the Game
Pushing a quadruple-double with 12 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and six assists, Scottish centre Kirsty Brown took home #UNBEATABLE Player of the Game honours from this one as the Gladiators moved into the Final Four.
| Team | Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Hannah Robb | 22 | 3 | 2 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Erin McGarrachan | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| Durham Palatinates | Eliza Brault | 20 | 4 | 1 |
| Durham Palatinates | Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby | 18 | 6 | 2 |
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 69-71 Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles
Starting Fives:
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters: Carla Drennan, Georgia Gayle, Emma Eichmeyer, Shauna Harrison, Desiree Ramos.
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles: Chloe Gaynor, Marina Fernandez Pardo, Abby Lowe, Lauren Saiki, Tierra Hodges.
The Eagles became the only side in the Quarter-finals to upset a higher seed as they knocked off the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters in a thriller at the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday afternoon.
First Half
The Hatters will have been incredible disappointed with their start to this encounter as they allowed the Eagles to find their rhythm and show dominance from the outset, as it was the visitors who put up 20 points in the opening period and held the hosts to just seven.
Finding their feet in the second quarter, the Hatters cut the gap to four by the half (30-34) with Emma Eichmeyer and Desiree Ramos in particular the leading contributors for Sheffield.
Second Half
With their seasons on the line, both teams left it all out there in the second half as they lead changed regularly in the final two periods. Talismanic guard Georgia Gayle was struggling for the Hatters, making just one of 12 shots from the field, but she found other ways to be effective with some crucial assists and rebounds in the closing stages. Going into the final period, the scores were tied at 51 apiece.
The gap in the final period never swelled more than five points in either team’s favour, making every possession of vital importance. The hosts got their noses in front early, but the Eagles led towards the end of the period.
With 15 seconds on the clock and down by one point, the Hatters called a timeout and ran a play on the inbound for Eichmeyer – who led all scorers on the day – but the German All-Star couldn’t convert and the Hatters couldn’t secure the rebound, with the Eagles going on to seal a slender but hardfought victory.
Player of the Game
With 23 points and 14 rebounds, Tierra Hodges took home #UNBEATABLE Player of the Game honours as Newcastle set up a semi-final showdown with the Gladiators next week at PlaySport.
| Team | Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Sheffield Hatters | Emma Eichmeyer | 25 | 9 | 4 |
| Sheffield Hatters | Desiree Ramos | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| Newcastle Eagles | Tierra Hodges | 23 | 14 | 2 |
| Newcastle Eagles | Jada Dapaa | 11 | 9 | 1 |
- Manchester Basketball Continue Roster Build with Pirttinen, Karasaite and Omoigui
- Manchester Basketball Bolster Roster with Bratka, Price and Cook Signings
- Chantel Charles returns to B. Braun Sheffield Hatters
- Nzeakor makes SLB jump with Leicester Riders ahead of 2026/27 Season
- Rachel Cockman joins B. Braun Sheffield Hatters for 2026/27 season
With the new season here, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from the current season.