Sevenoaks Suns became the last team to seal their place in the last four of the WBBL Trophy as they defeated BA London Lions at the Sennocke Centre 72-56 on Sunday afternoon. They set up a showdown with Caledonia Pride as they claimed their second victory in the pool in what was the decider to progress.
The home side started brightly to lead by nine after 10 minutes and they continued their stretch their advantage to leave no way back for the Lions. Ashleigh Munns scoring some great baskets in the opening quarter to lead 23-14.
In the second quarter the Suns took full control of the match and extended their lead going into the halftime break and this was fast becoming a great team performance. 3-point specialist Renée Busch grabbed a couple baskets from the line, Judit Fritz showed her class to dummy her way past the opposition, Ta’Yani Clarke used her footwork to good effect and Julia Koppl closed out with a series of penalty points. Halftime 45-26.
Sevenoaks came out meaning business in the second half with two quick baskets, however the Lions responded with two themselves plus five penalty points to give coach Len Busch something to think about. Clarke and Carr were always on the offensive though, and their well drilled runs tore the opposition apart, either scoring themselves in solo efforts or assisting their teammates as Busch and Koppl added to their figures. End of the third quarter and Sevenoaks were up 64-42.
The Suns ended the game with four players in double figures, led by Fritz with 15 points, while captain Carr had an all-round display with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. However, the Lions did make a 13-0 start to the fourth as they held Sevenoaks to single figures in the final period. Fritz with two successive baskets ended the game 72-56.
Somewhat impressively though, Suns scored 40 points from turnovers (22) and second chances (18), this will be something their future opposition will have to tame to get past this team. The Trophy Final will be played at the Cheshire Oaks Arena in Ellesmere Port on Saturday 14 April and should Sevenoaks progress with a win against Caledonia Pride next weekend then they will face a tough encounter with either Leicester Riders or Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters.
