WNBL Division One. Ipswich 62 Reading Rockets 68
Ipswich fell to their first defeat on Saturday, losing by just six points to a talented and experienced Reading Rockets.
Ipswich, playing their first home game of the season, started the better of the two teams – but a second quarter run from the Rockets, snatched the momentum from the home team, who, despite their best efforts, would struggle to find any rhythm for much of the rest of the game.
Reading were led by the super skilled Lyndsey Cleary, who was a leading playing the league for Nottingham last season, and Cleary was supported by Karpova, Nunez and San Fransisco from the Rockets, who look like formidable team this season. As Ipswich chased the game late, it was Nunez three-pointer on the end of the shot clock with a minute to play that was the dagger. For Ipswich it was again the trio of Liv Forster, Saruna Gudza and Ava Battese providing much of the offence for the Suffolk side.
Ipswich have a free weekend coming up which could provide the team with an opportunity to tidy up some key area’s before they welcome Anglia Ruskin to Ipswich on the 22nd October.
“Reading are an excellent team and all credit must got to them. They have recruited some excellent senior players who give them real depth and experience at the Division One level. It’s very early in the season, we will be fine” Said Ipswich Coach Nick Drane.
Top Scorers:
- Olivia Forster: 21
- Saruna Gudza: 14
- Ava Battese: 13