Lost Pride but we’ll still be winners

CALEDONIA PRIDE coach Bart Sengers claims his side are ready to be contenders despite losing 70-66 to Nottingham Wildcats in the WBBL Cup Final.

The Scots, led by 16 points from Tricia Oakes, hit back from trailing 14-4 early in Birmingham then briefly led in the second period after reeling off a 10-0 run.

The Wildcats pulled 39-33 ahead at half-time but an upset still looked possible when the clash was tied at 48-48 with 12 minutes left.

And even though Nottingham – paced by 19 from Ashley Harris – wrapped up the prize with a late run Sengers hailed his young team for giving them the fright of their lives.

The Dutchman said: “I wondered how we’d cope with this, being our first final, having to deal with these nerves.

“But we didn’t show too much of that. We played a good game. It’s one of our better games in the last two months.

“I’m sorry for them it didn’t go our way but it’s the little things that make the difference.

“And Nottingham probably did the things they needed to do. They played an excellent game. They deserved it and were the better team.”

Cheshire Phoenix lifted the BBL Cup by beating Worcester Wolves 99-88.

Ali MacKay scored 15 points and had 12 rebounds as Edinburgh Kings beat Boroughmuir Blaze to win the Scottish Cup 67-54. Edinburgh University, despite the absence of five Pride players, lifted the women’s Cup with a 76-53 victory over Glasgow Rocks.