WNBL1 recap: Week 18 (27/28 February 2021) - live streams, stats and more

An enjoyable weekend of WNBL action saw four games take place, with wins for Reading, Solent, Ipswich and Loughborough.

A quartet of games is a high for 2021, with the league continuing to gather momentum towards a rapidly approaching post season.

Victory keeps Ipswich out in front at the top of the table, whilst Loughborough (second) and Solent (third) both cemented their place in the chasing pack and Reading moved into sixth.

There's a recap of all the action below, and each result is also clickable if you wish to view the live stats.

Espinosa on fire for the Rockets

Reading Rockets (3-4) 91-73 Worcester Wolves (4-4)

Sitota Gines Espinosa enjoyed an impressive 25 point outing for Reading as the Rockets saw off Worcester 91-73.

The D1W steals leaders was once again active on defence, adding 11 more to her tally for the double-double whilst also enjoying eight rebounds and six assists to cap off a solid performance.

After an even first quarter, the hosts went through the gears and the Wolves couldn't keep up.

A 47-40 lead by the half became a 20 point advantage in the third and a 30 point lead midway through the fourth, though a late Worcester run narrowed the gap before the final buzzer.

Gaila Comesana (15pts) and Eva Luzon (12pts, 8reb) also played well for Reading, with Carolina Marques' 29 point performance the pick of the bunch for the Wolves.

Elsewhere this weekend

Team Solent Kestrels (5-3) recorded a confident 67-49 win over BA London Lions II (0-7).

Solent never trailed in this one, gradually moving into a sizable lead following a 21-11 second quarter.

Playing without the talents of Krisztina Velkey, the hosts were led by 22 points from Erica Meyer, who added 11 rebounds for the double-double.

Boosted by the return of Molly James and Makana Stone, Loughborough Riders (7-3) rose to see off CoLA Southwark Pride (2-3) 81-55.

James finished with a game-high 18 points, whilst Stone added a 15 point, 11 rebound double-double as the Riders won all four quarters against a CoLA side that hadn't played since November.

Finally, Ipswich (9-1) continue to set the pace at top of the league as they beat Thames Valley Cavaliers (2-3) 90-54.

Esther Little pulled down a staggering 28 rebounds in the win, with Harriet Welham scoring an impressive 29 points as the visitors held TVC to just 19 first half points.

Trailing by nearly 30 after two quarters, the Cavs were led by Katherine Goldsby's 18 point, 15 rebound double-double in what proved to be a blowout defeat.

This weekend's results:

Saturday 27 February

1pm - Reading Rockets 91-73 Worcester Wolves - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
2pm - Team Solent Kestrels 67-49 BA London Lions II - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
3pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 54-90 Ipswich - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
5pm - Loughborough Riders 81-55 CoLA Southwark Pride - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM

Main image credit - Luke Simcock

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