Basketball report – Sunderland W1 vs Northumbria W3

A full strength Team Sunderland squad thrashed Northumbria 61-30 to win the first game of the season

The game had a fairly slow start with both teams constantly fighting for possession of the ball, leading to the first points of the game coming via Sunderland’s Amy Kidd, followed by Sunderland’s Mary G, making the score 4-0 in Sunderland’s favour.

Northumbria claimed their first points soon after but Sunderland capitalised after a mistake by Northumbria, Sunderland were awarded a penalty, both taken by, Zahra K who made both baskets and quickly made two more once the game had restarted.

Sunderland’s Captain, Jillian C then went on and scored her first basket of the game 8 minutes in, strengthening Sunderland’s lead to 14 – 2 after the first quarter.

Just 18 seconds into the second quarter Zahra got another basket for Team Sunderland with great execution before Northumbria won two penalties. However Sunderland were quick to reply, winning the ball back and Jillian taking two shots to claim four more points for her side, leaving them with a 20 point lead at half time.

The third quarter saw Northumbria come back stronger but Sunderland matched their scoring rate, instantly retaliating after every Northumbria basket.

Going into the final quarter the score was 43 – 22 but Zahra and Jillian fought hard, scoring 5 times between them in the last ten minutes.

After the final buzzer went the final score was 61-30, with around 30 of Sunderland’s points coming from Jillian and Zahra.

Sunderland W1’s next game is away at Sheffield, Heading into their next match on Wednesday, Jillian said post match;  

“We have never played them before so it will be interesting to see how it goes, we don’t really know what their players are like so I suppose we will just see how it goes next week.”