The final weekend of SLB action before the Christmas break proved momentous statistically and significant for the standings.

At the summit, Oaklands Wolves flexed their muscles to topple the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters and Manchester Basketball’s Davida Dale created British basketball history.

B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 72-79 Oaklands Wolves

Oaklands Wolves end 2024 atop the SLB Championship standings after they banished B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 79-72 at the Canon Medical Arena on Saturday.

The win improves the Wolves to 6-0 as they inflicted a first Championship defeat of the season of the Hatters who head to 2025 in second.

And it was no more than Oaklands deserved, going ahead for good in the early stages of the first quarter, with the lead peaking by as many as 21 in the midway point of the second period.

The Hatters had bright spells in the second half of play, but the result for them was always going to be gloomy.

Tayjanna Mcghee-Pleasant led five Wolves players in double figures with 14 points and eight rebounds. Georgia Gayle led all scorers in vain for Sheffield with 27.

MVP: Tayjanna Mcghee-Pleasant (Oaklands Wolves)

Manchester Basketball 106-50 Durham Palatinates

Manchester Basketball brought in the Rehanne Bailey era in style with a 106-50 demolition of Durham Palatinates in the North-West.

Danni Williams was outstanding, shooting 54% from the field for her 32 points and 13 rebounds, supported by Davida Dale, becoming the first player in women’s British basketball to record a quadruple-double of 12 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists and 10 steals.

Anastasia Warren also chimed in on the rout with 25 points for the winners. Eliza Brault led a very short-handed Durham side with 16 but were held to just 27% from the floor.

MVPs: Danni Williams/ Davida Dale (Manchester Basketball)

Cardiff Met Archers 45-90 Newcastle Eagles

Newcastle Eagles eased past the Cardiff Met Archers in South Wales as Kendall Currence and Teresa Hodges starred in the 80-45 win.

Currence led the way with 21 points for the Eagles while Hodges added a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds as the visitors won all four quarters in a routine win.

Abigail Yunker was the sole Cardiff player in double figures with 11 points, as the Archers were only able to shoot 29%, compared to Newcastle’s 42% from the field.

MVP: Teresa Hodges (Newcastle Eagles)

Essex Rebels 82-58 London Lions

Essex Rebels had to work hard for their 82-58 success over the winless London Lions at the Essex Sports Arena, but a strong fourth quarter helped the hosts over the line.

The Rebels led from tip to buzzer with their lead peaking at 25 points, but London showed grit and determination to make the game competitive but end the year, bottom of the table.

Maria Blazejewski led Essex with 22 points with Brooke Flowers putting in a solid display of 10 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks while shooting 5/8.

Fabienne Zere led London with 14 points.

MVP: Brooke Flowers (Essex Rebels)

Caledonia Gladiators 58-80 Leicester Riders

In Sunday’s sole SLB clash, Leicester Riders made the trip north of the border a happy one, as Kaia Harrison led them to an 80-58 win over Caledonia Gladiators.

Harrison poured in 25 points and six rebounds, leading four Leicester players in double figures. Hannah Robb paced Caledonia with 11 points.

Already up 58-48 going into the final ten, the Riders were rocked by a three on the third quarter buzzer from Kat Tudor as the hosts looked to gain momentum.

But the visitors had other ideas, racing clear in the fourth, winning it 22-10 to secure a comfortable win.

MVP: Kaia Harrison (Leicester Riders)