National Cup
Ipswich Women 64-78 Sheffield Hatters
Copleston Sports Centre
The Ipswich Basketball Club Senior Women bowed out of the National Cup, after losing a closely contested battle with the Sheffield Hatters 78-64.
Ipswich went into the contest following their best performance of the season last weekend, in which they moved to 4-1 in WNBL D1 with a comprehensive win against Cardiff Archers, however, it was not to be against an experienced and clinical Sheffield team, who left it late, but ultimately blew the game open with a fourteen point road win.
Ipswich were led again by the play of emerging guard Liv Forster. The former Manchester guard, who is just sixteen years old, connected on four three-pointers on her way to a game high twenty-seven points. However, this was not enough as only fellow academy player Saruna Gudza found herself in double-figures as Ipswich struggled, despite a valiant effort.
The loss, while disappointing, may be a blessing in disguise for Ipswich, who have been nursing a number of injuries in recent weeks, and with no game this coming week, the break could allow some of the teams aches and pains to heel before the final run of games heading into the Christmas break.
Ipswich find themselves with an unlikely 4-1 record in the WNBL, which is something a lot of people were not expecting having lost no less than seven experienced and established players from last season’s championship roster. It is fair to say that so far this season, Ipswich have exceeded expectations. The team have three games left to play before the festive period, two at home (Loughborough and Reading) and one on the road (Anglia Ruskin). It’s far too early to tell whether this Ipswich team has what it takes to mount a serious charge for silverware, but what cannot be denied that they have already faced some significant challenges and have proven their ability to bounce back.
“This was a rough day at the office, but Sheffield are a classy, experienced team and we will have learned a great deal from today. We are pleased with where we are as a team and we want to use this free weekend to rest up and get healthy ahead of three tough games before Christmas. We know that it’s a long season and that anything can happen” Said Ipswich Assistant Coach Josh Carson.
Top Scorers:
Liv Forster: 27
Saruna Gudza: 10
Cameron Taylor-Willis: 9
Ipswich next play at home to Loughborough Riders (5-1) on Saturday November 27th at 3:30pm at Copleston Sports Centre.
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