Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club’s Senior Women kept their hopes of a historic treble alive, with a strong win in the first round of the playoffs against the Bristol Flyers, which sets up an exciting semi-final against the high-flying Brent Bulls this Saturday.
Ipswich led from start to finish, dominating their opponents, who were missing some key personnel. The Suffolk side led 51-32 at the half, but unsatisfied with their large advantage, they extended that lead to 70-44 going into the game’s final period.
Playing for pride, Bristol would mount something of a comeback in the fourth, winning the period and bringing the game to a final score of 81-60 in favour of the hosts.
“It was a good win. 8th just doesn’t do Bristol justice. They are a really talented and experienced team and we knew we would be in for a battle. I thought we executed really well and took care of business, which I all I can ask for at this stage of the season” said Ipswich Head Coach Nick Drane.
Ipswich were led by 22 points from Olivia Forster, with Harriet Welham adding 18 and Christabel Osarobo with 13.
Ipswich now turn their attention to Brent Bulls, the fourth seed in WNBL Division One, but a team that were just one win away from second place in the league and the two seed. Brent also lost narrowly to Thames Valley in the National Cup Semi-Final. “Brent are an elite team in this league, they are experienced and will be well prepared. We are going to need to be at our best and we will need our amazing crowd to be in good voice for this one” said Ipswich Captain Harriet Welham.
Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club’s Senior Women face Brent Bulls at Copleston Sports Centre on Saturday the 20th April at 1pm for a place in the National Playoff Final where the winner will face either Thames Valley Cavaliers or CoLA Southwark Pride on Sunday 28th April.
Saturday also marks the final competitive game at Copleston for young Ipswich stars Olivia Forster, Christabel Osarobo and Yazmin Edwards – who are all taking their talents stateside after this season.
As always, the club is asking that everyone comes out in force for the final home game, and the biggest game of the season for the club