CoLA meets Solent Kestrels in the WNBL D1 Playoffs Finals

The City of London Academy and Solent Kestrels will contest the finals of the WNBL D1 Playoffs later this month after surviving opposing semi-final encounters.

The league champions swept past Anglia Ruskin University in a 67-38 win, while seventh-seeded Kestrels battled past the Thames Valley Cavaliers on the road to secure a 67-74 triumph.

CoLA continued their strong form as they quickly forged a double-digit lead over ARU, with Jackson Gibbons’ side leading 21-8 after 10 minutes. The gap was increased by just two as we went into half-time with a 15-point lead, but the hosts carried on in the second half as they held their opponent to just 14 points.

Isi Ozzy-Momodu hit a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds and three steals, while recent WEABL Finals MVP Emilie Black led the way with 15 points, while Beeban Jikiemi-Pearson and Ana-Isabel Andersson each Added 10 points.

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On Saturday, Solent used a dominant 21:10 second period as a platform for his win over third-placed TVC, although they still needed a 7-0 run in the fourth to secure victory.

Taylor Gaffney starred with 27 points and five steals, while Lauren Dabbs hit three triples in an 11-point show off the bench. Saffie Jarju added 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double to help the Kestrels advance.

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The final will take place at the NBPC in Manchester on Sunday April 24, with the D1 Playoffs title at stake.

The WNBL Division 2 Playoff Finals are held the same weekend that Manchester Mystics II take on Sheffield Hatters II. Exciting young hopeful Charli Wroe completed an upset for the Mystics over National Cup champions Stockport Lapwings with a game win and -1 in the dying seconds.