EBL Women’s Division Two (Midlands South East)
Wellingborough Phoenix 79
Ipswich Bobcats 49
Phoenix ladies opened their defence of the Division Two title with a convincing win against league newcomers Ipswich at Weavers on Sunday.
After a tight opening, Wellingborough’s pressure defence began to take its toll on the visitors as they forced turnovers allowing them to convert easy baskets for a 24-13 advantage after the first period.
Ipswich stemmed the flow in the second quarter as the teams went in to half-time at 42-30.
The fact that Phoenix could rotate all 12 players into the defence allowed them to keep the pace up, and it really told in the third period when they established a 20 point lead
They held on to eventually win by 30 points in a fine all round display which saw everyone on the team scoring.
Georgia Elliott-King and Imogen Cox top scored with ten points, assisted by Naomi Sterling, Sascha Thompson and Vikki Hinds who all added nine.
Coach Pete Burgoine said: “We still need improve on our offence and defence, and also need work on our team chemistry so all the new players are fully integrated.”
Next weekend Phoenix face a tough double header, with an away trip to a strong Loughborough Student Riders side in the league on Saturday.
They then travel to Cardiff on Sunday for the second round of the national cup where they will be looking to cause an upset against Division One side UWIC.
