Women’s National Cup semi-final Bristol Flyers 72 Ipswich 74 Ipswich Basketball Club’s Senior Women booked their place in the National Cup Final in their first season together as they beat higher league Bristol Flyers 74-72 on the road.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich celebrate as the final buzzer goes at Bristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAIpswich celebrate as the final buzzer goes at Bristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Bristol had the better of the first quarter, with Ipswich starters Ashleigh Pink and Harriet Welham both having to take an early seat due to foul trouble. The host capitalized, taking a 23-17 lead.

The second quarter was Ipswich’s best, and where the team was able to assert their dominance on the game. A balanced attack, with baskets from Welham, Esther Little (14 points), Amy Linton and Pink (14) was aided by an outstanding defensive effort, allowing only seven points in the period.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich guard Ashleigh Pink attacks the Flyers defence from mid court. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAIpswich guard Ashleigh Pink attacks the Flyers defence from mid court. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Anchored by the physical presence of Maya Price and the efforts of Danni Cazey, guarding Bristol’s best player, Ipswich began to build their lead – taking a 38-31 lead into the half-time break.

The third and fourth quarters were intense, with Bristol gradually clawing their way back into the game, and both teams making key plays at both ends of the floor.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich head coach Nick Drane gives instructions to his team during a time-out. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAIpswich head coach Nick Drane gives instructions to his team during a time-out. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Welham, who led Ipswich with 23 points, continued to be a thorn in the hosts side, while Danni Cazey came alive, scoring eight points in a key fourth quarter run.

Late in the game, with Bristol holding a narrow lead, Little, Welham and Cazey connected on huge baskets, while Price came up with a massive defensive play to give Ipswich possession, with the game tied, with less than 20 seconds to play.

East Anglian Daily Times: Esther Little gets into the key to make a layup against tough defence at Bristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAEsther Little gets into the key to make a layup against tough defence at Bristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

As Ipswich played patiently, moving the ball to get the best shot for the team, Welham found herself open on the three-point line.

Welham connected on the biggest shot of the game, with the clock winding down and while Bristol were able to mount one more offence, drawing a foul and heading to the free-throw line, they were only able to make one of two, and Ipswich held on.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich captain Amy Linton making a fast break lay up atBristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAIpswich captain Amy Linton making a fast break lay up atBristol. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Ipswich face local rivals Essex in the National Cup Final at UEL on January 21. Essex are currently sitting comfortably at the top of WNBL Division One, with a record of 11-1 (8-1 in the league) in all competitions, while Ipswich are 8-0. Essex’s single loss of the season to date was away to Bristol.

Head coach Nick Drane said: “To get to the National Cup Final is special, I am not going to pretend it isn’t.

“We have had to do this the hard way, going through a tough Division Two team in Northampton before having to beat three excellent Division One teams, in Loughborough, Reading and now Bristol, all away from home.

“We said at the start of the season that the cup would be a great way to test ourselves against the best teams and make a run at doing something special – we know it’s going to take a special effort in the final against Essex Blades, but we are more than up for the challenge.”