WPL Result

Worcester Wolves vs Loughborough Lightning – 22/01

September 17, 2021 by

Lightning claims the first ever win in the BWB Women’s Premier League

A historic fixture took place at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday 22nd as Worcester Wolves and Loughborough Lightning competed in the first match of the inaugural BWB Women’s Premier League. The league is the first of its kind for women’s wheelchair basketball.

Worcester Wolves and Loughborough Lightning squads featured a blend of highly experienced players with promising young talent, demonstrating how key this league will be in developing the future of the GB Women’s team.

The arena crowd gave a huge welcome to the BWB Women’s Premier League as fans filled the stands. Loughborough came out on top in the first quarter 6-13. Lucy Robinson led as game scorer with 7 points in Q1.

Worcester gained momentum in the start of the second quarter as Jade Loughlin got 6 points in quick succession and began to test Loughborough’s defence. A combination of aggressive defensive and offensive manoeuvres proved a deadly combination as Loughborough won the first half 19-34.

Worcester returned with renewed energy, working tirelessly to shorten the distance between themselves and the visiting side. Loughborough’s Robyn Love capitalised on a Worcester foul at the end of the third quarter to end the quarter 34-50.

Laurie Williams and Siobhan Fitzpatrick both got 4 points each for Loughborough in the fourth quarter as their team took the win 41 – 58. Laurie was top performer in assists (10 assists), with Love close behind with 8 assists. Worcester Captain Sarah Hope had 2 steals and 8 rebounds during the game.

After the match, Worcester Wolves Jade Loughlin reflected on the game:

“We came out with a very great team, energetic. We came out with ideas of what we want to play and how we wanted to play, focused on that, and to be fair I couldn’t be prouder of the girls. We executed what we wanted to out of everything in that game.”

Loughborough Lightning’s Siobhan Fitzpatrick said:

“An absolutely amazing start for Loughborough Lightning against a fantastic team, Worcester Wolves. A great opportunity to showcase our sport. We got our first win of the league, we can’t complain. All of the girls had a great time on court, everyone played great minutes and contributed, and we just can’t wait to build on that.”

In their next fixtures, Loughborough Lightning head to East London Phoenix 12th February, and Worcester Wolves have their first away match against Cardiff Met Archers 12th February.

Next weekend, East London Phoenix and Cardiff Met Archers join Worcester and Loughborough as founding members of the BWB Women’s Premier League, with Cardiff heading to UEL 28th January (live on BWB YouTube). Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-london-phoenix-fixtures-tickets-170306614669

BWB WPL Fanzone: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/womens-premier-league/

East London Phoenix vs Cardiff Met Archers 28/01 7PM

November 1, 2021 by

East London Phoenix and Cardiff Met Archers got their BWB Women’s Premier League campaigns underway in the inaugural season on Friday 28^th January. Both teams join fellow founding members Worcester Wolves and Loughborough Lightning after their first WPL match last Saturday.

Captain Jade Atkin (Cardiff Met Archers) got the first points of the game, with Freya Levy putting the first points on the board for East London Phoenix soon after. After a strong start for Cardiff, East London started to gain momentum and ended the first quarter 16:10. Amy Conroy got 10 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw home team East London put the pressure on visitors Cardiff averaging a five point lead. Leah Evans made an impact in the second quarter and got 9 points and 2 steals for Cardiff. Bethany Wheeler (East London Phoenix) got 8 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal in the first half. East London Phoenix narrowly took the first half 28:25.

Archers closed the gap as the third quarter got underway with energetic offensive plays, with the scoreline switching between the two teams. Maddison Martin (Cardiff) got 3 assists in the third quarter. Capitalising on a few defensive openings by the Cardiff side in the final minutes of the quarter, Conroy got 2 free throws and Emily Brantwaite got 2 points to put East London ahead 42:36.

In the final quarter, East London secured the win 60:36 after a huge fourth quarter from the home team. Conroy (East London) was top performer on points in the game with 26, and J. Atkin was top points scorer for Cardiff with 14 points. Wheeler (East London) was top performer on rebounds with 11. Martin was top performer in assists for Cardiff with 6 assists.

After the match, East London Phoenix’s Nik Terrell reflected on the result:

“I’m so proud of this team. We’ve come together so well, we’ve had some new additions only in the last month or so, so really quick to adjust and work out that team dynamic. I think we aced it – the team dynamic came through and the team work that we showed today, everyone had each others backs the whole way through. The bench were unreal! All the components of what makes a really good team work so well.

“We had an amazing opposition as well – Cardiff have got some amazing up and coming talent alongside people who have been in the game for quite a while who have got so much to bring to this league.”

Cardiff Met Archers captain Jade Atkin said:

“We were all excited to start together, to play together. It was a good experience and we know what to do for the next one.”

“I think [The Women’s Premier League] is a good opportunity for us to all show off what we can do, and show the world what wheelchair basketball is all about – I’m excited to show everyone.”

The next BWB WPL fixtures take place on the 12^th of February. Loughborough Lightning head to East London Phoenix, and Cardiff Met Archers will have their first home game of the season against Worcester Wolves.

BWB WPL fixtures and results: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/womens-premier-league-2021-22/