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THE Grand Finalists from last year were both in action and had vastly contrasting results in Friday night’s Women’s SBL action with the Mandurah Magic winning a thriller over the Cockburn Cougars while the Perry Lakes Hawks were thumped by the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

There were two matches in the Women’s SBL on Friday night to open Round 5 of the 2018 season as the runner’s-up from last year Mandurah remaining undefeated while the defending champion Perry Lakes continued to struggle slipping to 1-5.

The two matches saw the Mandurah Magic beat the Cockburn Cougars 73-69 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns defeat the Perry Lakes Hawks 99-69 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

WOMEN’S SBL PREVIEW – WEEK 5

The Women’s Friday night action got underway with Kalamunda hosting Perry Lakes.

Even without Toni Farnworth and Nat Burton, the Lady Hawks started well attempting to win their second game of the season. They led 23-18 by quarter-time but the Eastern Suns responded with a monster 32-point to 14 second term.

That saw the Suns leading 50-37 at half-time before they held the Hawks to seven third period points on the way to the impressive 30-point victory.

Kalamunda improved to 3-4 on the season with the big win on the back of another standout performance from Perth Lynx WNBL player Alex Ciabattoni. She finished the evening with 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals on shooting 10/14 from the field and 3/5 from beyond the arc.

Jennie Rintala also had 17 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists in a strong all-round performance for the Eastern Suns.

Jewel Williams added 13 points and three assists for the Suns, Rebecca Motroni 12 points and three assists, Alecia Knowles 11 points and four rebounds, and Jorjah Smith nine points and four assists.

On top of the absence of Edmondson and Nat Burton, the Lady Hawks were also missing championship winning point guard Lauren Jeffers, but Emma Clarke showed encouraging signs with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Annika Renkema also had 16 points and two steals for Perry Lakes, Kristan Teasdale 14 points and eight rebounds, and Bella Green 10 points, five boards and three assists.

Then in Mandurah, the Magic put their undefeated record to start the 2018 season on the line against a Cougars team who won their first two games before losing narrowly last week to the Redbacks.

Again Cockburn put in a strong showing and even led 37-34 at half-time. But for the second straight week, they ended up five points short against a quality opponent with the Magic pulling out the victory to remain undefeated in 2018.

Reigning Women’s SBL Player of the Week Anita Brown was again superb for the Magic with 30 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals on shooting 10/23 from the field and 9/14 at the foul line.

Casey Mihovilovich added 12 points and four rebounds in her 451st SBL appearance while Bree Klasztorny contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Captain Rachel Halleen added 11 points for Mandurah too while Emma Klasztorny had four points and 14 rebounds with the Magic without championship winning big Carly Boag.

Kisha Lee did all she could to try and lift the Cougars to the victory with 34 points and 10 rebounds on shooting 13/23 from the field and 7/10 at the stripe.

Matilda Muir added nine points and five rebounds for Cockburn.

WEEK 5 WOMEN’S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Mandurah Magic 73 defeated Cockburn Cougars 69
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 99 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 69

SATURDAY
Stirling Senators v Mandurah Magic – Warwick Stadium 6.00pm
Perth Redbacks v East Perth Eagles – Belmont Oasis 6.00pm
South West Slammers v Lakeside Lightning – Eaton Recreation Centre 6.00pm

SUNDAY
East Perth Eagles v South West Slammers – Morley Sport and Recreation Centre 12.00pm
Lakeside Lightning v Rockingham Flames – Lakeside Recreation Centre 2.00pm