Bankstown's Bruins and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles sailed into Sunday's Waratah Women's Grand Final with comprehensive victories in their respective Semi Finals on Saturday at the Newcastle Basketball Stadium

Women's  Semi Final   --    Manly Sea Eagles v ACT Academy

A great start by Manly had on paper favourites, ACT Academy, rattled. The Sea Eagles jumped out to 25 – 2 lead five minutes into the quarter. Manly’s man to man defence and tough blocking out caused the Academy into rushed shots and frustration fouls. Putting Manly on the line with six minutes remaining in the quarter. Manly was superb at both ends with a 37 – 14 quarter. The Academy whilst trying very hard were unable to match Manly’s intensity.  

The question being asked “Could Manly maintain this start” and “Could the Academy get back into the game” were being posed during the break. Both questions were partly answered in the second quarter. Manly going off the boil with a measly 11 point quarter. whilst the Academy responded with 20points. Manly led 48 - 34 at the long break. 16 from 18 from the charity stripe didn’t go astray in helping Manly accumulate a big score and help in maintaining their points differential

The third quarter was a ten minute consolidation period for the Sea Eagles and were  able to hang onto a 19 point lead. Manly’s high scorer Michelle Musselwhite picked up her 4th foul with a minute remaining in the quarter.

Midway through the 4th, three consecutive three pointers by the Academy girls gave them a glimmer of hope and reduced Manly’s lead to 12 points. Michelle Musselwhite fouled out with three to go. However, Manly maintained their composure and took a 15 point buffer to the final whistle. The Academy girls never gave in and with very dogged offensive effort increased the intensity of the last minutes of the game. In the second half Manly maintained their great shooting from the line in hitting 13 from 18 and went on to win the match 90 - 75.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles  90  (48)  (Michelle Musselwhite 31,Gail Henderson 13,Anna Crosswhite 12,Leanne Dalton 11,Tammy Goyne 10,Amanda Janes 7,Robyn Hall 4,Candice Trevenna 2)

ACT Academy of Sport   75  (34)  (Sarah Berry 16,Kylie Gwyther 12,Natalie Hurst 11,Kelly Hannett 9,Kelly Abrams 9,Candace Barton 6,Kobi Pearce 5,Lea Wood 5,Jessica Garvey 2)

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Team Match Statistics	Att	Md	%
Total Field Shots	56	27	48.2
3PT Field Shots	19	7	36.8
Free Throws	36	29	80.6
	Off	Def	Tot
Rebounds	7	28	35
Fouls	17
Assists	18
Blocks	0
Steals	8
Turnovers	18
ACT Academy of Sport
Team Match Statistics	Att	Md	%
Total Field Shots	69	28	40.6
3PT Field Shots	26	8	30.8
Free Throws	16	11	68.8
	Off	Def	Tot
Rebounds	15	23	38
Fouls	29
Assists	24
Blocks	2
Steals	12
Turnovers	22

Women's  Semi Final   --    Bankstown Bruins v Sydney Comets

The Bruins had the better of the first half and gave the Comets a lesson in precision basketball. Bruins outshot, out thought and out rebounded the Comets who had no answer to the Bruins forceful attack. The Bruins took the first quarter 26 – 10 and maintained their superiority to go to the main break 51 – 27. The Comets improved on their first quarter performance but it did little to bridge the ever widening gap.

After the break the Sydney Comets came out firing in the third quarter and hit the Bruins with nine unanswered points to put them back in the hunt. Whilst the Bruins faltered momentarily they recovered to get back on track and maintained their 24 point lead at three quarter time.

The game was all over three minutes into the quarter with the Bruins stretching their lead out to 30, this then increased to 40 points by the full time hooter.

The final score being 87 – 47. The Comets had no answer for the all round performance of the Bruins roster.

Bruins team leader Briana Hennessy was the Bruins linchpin and led and directed the team. Jamie Samuels, Tammy Bywater dominated the boards, Sarah Hately kept the Comets guards quiet. Whilst for the Comets Sarah Costello was a lone standout, Nat Trout scored 14 points in a loosing side whilst the Bruins’Hennessy girls were merciless.