Chambers Franklyn Game Review

Saturday Night Round 15 – Women:

The Chambers Franklyn City of Joondalup Wolves women took their first loss of the season against the Warwick Senators in the NBL1 West Battle of Joondalup rematch on Saturday, 66-83!

The stage was set for a monster clash on Saturday night with the Wolfpack arriving at Warwick Stadium having won all 16 of their matches so far in 2022, but the Senators had the potential to seriously challenge them having won their last 11 in-a-row.

Both teams made runs during the first quarter with the Senators going up nine early but then the Wolves responded with their own 12-0 run to see the league-leaders head into quarter-time leading 22-19.

Things remained tight in the second quarter with the Senators outscoring the Wolves 21 to 20 which meant Joondalup still clung to a 42-40 lead at the half-time break.

The Senators then outscored the Wolfpack 18 points to 14 in the third term and that meant Warwick led 58-56 at three quarter, but the game was still well and truly up for grabs.

However, that didn’t remain the case for long with Warwick scorching Joondalup in the fourth quarter by going on an 11-0 run and outscoring the Wolves 25 points to 10.

With about 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, star import, Robbi Ryan hobbled off the court with an injury to the leg and a deflated team trying to scrap up an ounce of hope.

That saw Warwick end up winning 83-66 to hand Joondalup their first loss since last year's NBL1 West Grand Final. The Senators have now won 12 straight to sit at 15-2 to be hot on the heels of the now 16-1 Wolves.

MVP of the game, Teige Morrell top-scored for Joondalup with 17 points and nine rebounds while Robbi contributed 16 points, five boards and four steals; Chelsea Belcher 10 points; and Nes'eya Parker-Williams – after fighting through early foul trouble in the first half of the game – ended with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Coach Marcus Wong shared his thoughts on the game: “It was a hard fought battle and for 3 quarters we were able to match that level of intensity but unfortunately we didn’t execute well in the last quarter and they ran over the top of us. I thought the game was played at a really high level and we will learn a lot from it and be better prepared if we get an opportunity to play them again” 

The Wolves next game will be back at home against the Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 Wildcard game. Be sure to come out to see how the Wolves women match-up and compare with the rest of the nation’s NBL1 teams as they face Australia’s young talent this Saturday – 30 July! 

Saturday Night Round 15 – Men:

The Chambers Franklyn City of Joondalup Wolves men defeated the Warwick Senators in the NBL1 West Battle of Joondalup rematch on Saturday, 89-78!

The Wolves were able to take advantage of the shorthanded Warwick Senators for a crucial 11-point victory at Warwick Stadium. It loomed as a crucial match up to the top four chances of both teams with the Senators coming into the game in fourth spot at 12-5 while the Wolves were third at 13-4.

The Senators led by a point at quarter-time but then CJ Turnage in particular began to take over and the Wolves put together 13 straight points during the second quarter.

That helped the Wolves outscore the Senators 33 points to 18 in the term to go into the half-time break leading 52-38.

The Wolves were then never seriously threatened throughout the second half leading by as much as 16 points again in the third term before ending up winning 89-78.

The win consolidates the Wolfpack in third spot with a 14-4 record.

MVP of the game, CJ Turnage had a tremendous night for Joondalup on his first visit to Warwick Stadium delivering 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Jonathan Wade was impressive too with 24 points and five rebounds with Joel Vaiangina contributing 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

Julian Pesava also finished with eight points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Jordan Wellsteed seven points, four boards and two assists.

After the game, Jonathan Wade said: “Tonight felt like a finals matchup with the talent on both sides. It felt good to get Jules (Julian Pesava) back in the line-up after missing him last week. We were able to make our run early in the second quarter and get up early, which gave us a cushion; and we needed every bit of that cushion. The Battle of Joondalup, they got us bad the first time, and tonight we really were motivated to show that the team that took the floor in round 3, is not what we are or who we are. That round 3 loss has been simmering. It felt good to get them back.”

While the women stay home, the Wolves men play away this Saturday - July 30 against the Geraldton Buccaneers. Both games tip off at 7pm, so come on out to HBF to support the women while streaming into the men’s livestream right back here on our website! We’ll see you then, Wolfpack Family!