Oaklands Wolves triumph over Sheffield Hatters SLB Cup final win

A dream that came true. On Sunday, 9th March, Oaklands Wolves SLBW were crowned SLB Cup champions after an emphatic win over Sheffield Hatters at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

Oaklands started strong, and the statistics reflected it, with the Wolves landing double the shot percentage of the Hatters. They closed the first quarter with an 11-0 run, capitalizing on every mistake made by their opponents. Although Sheffield fought hard to close the gap, Oaklands Wolves were simply unstoppable, eventually securing a 65-51 victory.

Following a heart-breaking Betty Codona Cup Final defeat back in January, the Wolves were determined not to leave empty-handed this time. Bringing the silverware back to St. Albans fulfilled a vision set fifteen years ago, making the victory even sweeter.

The win meant a great deal to everyone, especially to both Beth Sarson and Head Coach Lee Ryan, who have been with the franchise since its inception in 2017.

Lee Ryan reflected on the team's journey, stating, "Their chemistry has been the thing that's kept us going all the way through," highlighting the importance of team spirit in overcoming challenges. "I love this team so much, their energy, the way they are, and the way they came together from day one," he added.

The Wolves faced a tough defeat in their last fixture against Newcastle Eagles (an 86-70 loss), prompting a strategic reset. Captain Shanice Beckford-Norton shared, "Lee made us point out everyone's strengths, and that's all we had to bring. Instead of everyone trying to do everything, everyone just needed to do what they're best at. That is why we got the win."

With the SLB Cup now secured, Oaklands Wolves are shifting their focus to their remaining fixtures of the season, aiming for a coveted place in the play-off Finals at the O2 Arena.