Ipswich Women bounce back with fine Cup win after first

Charlotte Readhead making a three-point shot at Bristol Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

WNBL Division One Ipswich Basketball 66 Bristol Flyers 83

Ipswich Basketball Clubs Senior Women came away from a gruelling weekend with their first loss of the season and an important bounce-back victory less than 24 hours later.

On Saturday the team faced one of the WNBL Division One favourites, Bristol Flyers.

The visitors led from start to finish, leading by one stage by as many as 20 points as they handed Ipswich their first loss of the season.

Charlotte Readhead testing the Bristol defence Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

The Flyers won three out of four quarters, although the final score suggests the game was far more comfortable than it actually was with Ipswich twice battling to bring the game but to within six.

Ipswich seemed to mastermind their own demise, with a string of sloppy turnovers and were in foul trouble throughout the game. Esther Little was limited to just 14 minutes while leading scorer Harriet Welham fouled out mid-way through the fourth quarter.

“Bristol are a good team and from the little I have seen so far in Division One, they will be one of the favourites to be among the silverware at the end of the season,” said Ipswich coach Nick Drane.

National Cup, first round Myerscough 56 Ipswich Basketball 74

Esther Little beats the first line of defence looking to get the the rim Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Ipswich wasted no time in getting back to winning ways. After Saturday’s defeat the team were straight on a bus to travel 350 miles north to play Myerscough College in the first round of the National Cup.

Despite a poor start that saw the hosts leap out to an 8-3 lead, Ipswich didn’t panic, and went on a 19-3 run to finish the period. The team was heavily rotated after a game the previous day and a long journey to factor in, but despite this Ipswich were able to control the contest.

As ever, Harriet Welham was in fine form, connecting on a game high 32 points, ably assisted by the teams second leading scorer, Danni Cazey, who added 17. Esther Little was also in a dominant mood, with 12 points, 22 rebounds and seven assists.

“This was a great response, less than 24 hours after losing for the first time this season. I don’t think we were close to our best but equally, it’s tough to be at your best when you’ve played a game and travelled 300 miles” said Drane who added “This team is still in its infancy as a group, we are very young and very much learning about each other and what our identity is going to be this season – but we are all looking forward to the process”.

n Ipswich are on the road three more times before they are back at Copleston. Next week they face the Sevenoaks Suns while the following weekend they now have a double header in London, facing Barking Abbey in league play on the Saturday before they take on 2017 National Cup winners Southwark Pride on the Sunday in the last 16 of the competition.