Div 2 Women Playoff Finals - Hatters II, Bears To Meet
 City
of Sheffield Hatters II and Black Country Bears will meet
at Moorways on Saturday with the EBL Women’s Division
Two playoff title at stake.
Although they are in different regional sections of Division
Two, the sides will be familiar with each other having occupied
the top two spots in last season’s Northern Division.
Hatters won both of those games on the way to a perfect league
season. The opening day of the season saw a late recovery
from Bears fail to prevent a 63-60 home defeat, while a strong
second period proved key as Hatters won 57-49 at home in their
second meeting.
Bears were set up by sisters, Carys and Dawn Hall, six years
ago starting off with a local league team. Four years ago
they took a step into National League territory and over that
time gradually developed youngsters who wanted to both enjoy
and play the sport.
The first two years saw the Bears feeling their feet in the
National League, eventually finishing runners-up in Division
Two North last season before winning the Midlands/South West
section this season with a 14-4 record.
Black Country won their quarter-final against Bury Blue Devils
44-35, before a sell-out crowd saw an exciting semi-final
against Enfield when Bears progressed to the final with a
54-50 victory.
Hatters again won the Northern Division, finishing with 15
wins from their 18 games. They had two contrasting games on
their way to the final, winning a tight encounter 61-56 against
Sevenoaks Suns II in the quarter-final before hammering Stockport
Lapwings 78-38 in the semi-finals.
Hatters captain Millie Watkins is looking forward to the final:
"We're all excited about another trip to the playoff
finals. It's been a challenging season - we've had setbacks
with injuries and some disappointing results at times, but
we've continued to improve as a team and learn from our mistakes.
The team has consistently been at the top of this league for
the past three years and we're determined to finally lift
the trophy that's eluded us so far!"
Coach Vanessa Ellis is looking forward to Hatters’ third
successive final, "After losing two very close finals
we’re hoping it’s third time lucky," she
said.
Her sentiments are echoed by some of the Sheffield players:
Veteran Ann Zammit said, "We’re going to work hard
and win so that I can get a medal in my last season at the
age of 50."
Hanna Byrne: "It’s a privilege playing under Vanessa
Ellis and sharing the court with the rest of the Hatters –
it’s a battle to be won this year."
Clare Wright: "I’m really excited about the game
and hoping with a lot of hard work and effort we can get the
win."
Having seen both their senior teams win their leagues, Hatters’
first team coach Betty Codona is pleased with the club’s
progress this season:
"I am very proud of our club teams. All our four National
League teams reached their respective playoffs. Our under-14
and under-16s unfortunately lost in last weekend's playoffs,
in the case of the U16's only after an injury in the second
half to one of our key players, but both teams have done well
this season.
"Our Division Two side won an incredibly close and exciting
quarter final game against Sevenoaks and then beat Stockport
in the semis to reach their final and I have every confidence
in their determination and preparation for the Final this
Saturday.
"This is in spite of losing a starting five player with
an ACL injury halfway through the season and then losing another
starter just before the Trophy Final. It is tribute to the
players and their coach that they have done so well."
Image - D Wearn
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