Reigning champions Thames Valley to face Ipswich in Women’s National Cup Final

Thames Valley Cavaliers are back in the National Cup Final for a second successive year, and will take on the current D1 leaders Ipswich, in January’s showpiece.

Last year’s champions TVC overcame Reading Rockets for an exciting 78-74 triumph, while Ipswich needed to battle past an experienced D2 Sheffield Hatters side for their 81-77 success.

Helen Naylor led the Hatters with 25 points and seven assists with another great in Steph Gandy still going strong with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds having led by nine at 55-64 in the third.

Rising stars Yazmin Edwards – 28 points, 6 rebounds – and Liv Forster – 17 points, eight assists – impressed for the home side with the ever-influential Harriet Welham adding 22 points in the win.

“It was a fantastic advert for the WNBL, with two teams fighting until the final moments of the game,” Ipswich head coach Nick Drane told Hoopsfix. “It was an honour to host such a great club like Sheffield and have so many legends of the game on our home court. I’m delighted we were able to grind out the win and we are excited to play in another showcase event in Manchester.”

Meanwhile, TVC were pushed all the way by a tough Reading side before clinching victory to move a step away from defending their title in Manchester next month.

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