B. Braun Sheffield Hatters lift the Betty Codona Trophy after beating the Caledonia Gladiators in the final.

Sheffield Hatters triumph over Caledonia Gladiators to lift Betty Codona Trophy

The Caledonia Gladiators and the B.Braun Sheffield Hatters locked horns in a fiercely contested Betty Codona Trophy final in an attempt to lift the first piece of silverware of the 2025-26 season.

Starting Fives

Sheffield Hatters: Nina Krisper, Shauna Harrison, Megan Mullings, Jessica Eadsforth-Yates, Georgia Gayle

Caledonia Gladiators: Maura Fitzpatrick, Tess Amundsen, Hannah Robb, Anastasia Warren, Tierra Hodges

B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 80-62 Caledonia Gladiators

First Quarter

The Trophy final was dubbed as an affair that would start at a fast and furious tempo, and it did not disappoint. Sheffield’s Georgia Gayle looked to settle nerves early, burying her first shot of the game for two points, with an instant reply from Caledonia.

The Gladiators’ star forward, Tierra Hodges, drained her first two points of the game with a precise mid-range attempt after around three minutes of action.

Caledonia refused to deviate from their aggressive defensive actions and fast transition offence, a tactic that has the team sitting at the summit of the Super League Basketball Championship standings, as both teams continued to trade blows on the interior.

Sheffield’s Megan Mullings cut a determined figure on the offensive end of the floor with some crucial offensive rebounds and important finishes at the rim. The veteran forward chalked up eight points, two rebounds, and two assists in the first quarter.

However, the teams could not be separated as they headed into the break level on points.

Second Quarter

Both sides continued where they left off after the break, as Hodges bullied her way to the basket to finish an attempt from up close, while Nina Krisper instantly replied with a finish on the interior down the other end of the court.

Georgia Gayle began to build up momentum as she scored a shot from mid-range, then moments later, found her teammate, Mullings, with an intricate bounce pass into the paint, which the forward finished expertly.

Caledonia’s lack of offensive rebounds began to become apparent as Sheffield established a six-point lead with around five minutes left on the clock.

Anastasia Warren continued to isolate her defenders and drive at the basket with aggressive intent. Most notably, drawing a foul from Antoinette Lewis and splitting the free throws, while Hodges chalked up two more points shortly after to keep the score within touching distance.

The chaotic action continued as Hannah Robb drained a remarkable three-point attempt with less than a second on the shot clock that allowed the Gladiators to finally retake the lead.

Antoinette Lewis tied the game for the Hatters as the first half came to a close, scoring her 11th point of the game and draining five of six shot attempts.

Third Quarter

Again, both Caledonia and Sheffield refused to reduce the tempo at which this game was being played. Mullings attacked the Gladiators’ defence from the opening tip, drawing an early foul and finishing one of her two free throws.

The Hatters high-pressure defence began to restrict the Gladiators’ offensive options, and Vanessa Ellis’ team established a five-point lead with around seven minutes remaining on the clock, as Gayle split her free throws.

Moments later, Mullings composed herself in the corner to finish a fantastic three-point attempt, taking her tally for the afternoon up to 15 points.

Caledonia’s head coach, Chantelle Handy, was forced into a timeout with around five minutes left on the clock as Sheffield extended their lead to 10 points after a 12-2 scoring run.

A devastating shot from deep from Shauna Harrison allowed the Hatters to continue their rich vein of offensive brilliance in this quarter

Robb’s determined mentality kept this matchup alive for Caledonia, with a late drive to the basket, she drained her shot while drawing a foul for a three-point play. The nifty guard finished her free throw with ease and cut the deficit to 14 points as both teams headed into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Gladiators would need a mammoth performance in the final period to swing the momentum of this tie and lift the Trophy. Sheffield’s Chantel Charles viciously blocked Warren’s early layup attempt to ensure that this would be no easy task for the trailing team.

A swift 4-0 run from Caledonia forced Vanessa Ellis into a timeout with just two minutes played in the quarter in an attempt to kill any momentum the Scottish side was building.

Robb refused to let this fixture go without a fight. Her electric pace allowed her to perform a lung-bursting run from coast-to-coast for an easy layup with around six minutes left on the clock.

Sheffield’s presence on the glass and ability to create second-chance opportunities prevented the reigning trophy champions from putting a serious dent in the opponent’s lead.

Harrison effectively handed the Trophy to the Sheffield Hatters with a killer four-point play, which she finished with a plomb.

A Mullings offensive masterclass ensured that the Sheffield Hatters would walk away as Trophy champions. The exceptional forward ended the game with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

Player of the Game: Megan Mullings (B. Braun Sheffield Hatters)

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