Having seen his team lose in the final against City of Sheffield Hatters last year, Archers coach Damian Jennings is keen to go one better this year.

 

After receiving a first round bye, Archers travelled to Taunton Tigers and recorded a comfortable 65-22 victory in the second round.

 

A strong third period saw Storm win 69-43 at cross-town rivals Bristol Academy Flyers in the first round and the West Country side again came good in the second half as City of Birmingham Force were beaten 44-35 in the last 16.

 

"This competition is really important to us," said Jennings. "Although last year it was disappointing to lose in the Cup final, ultimately it was the furthest UWIC Archers had ever achieved in its 10 year existence so we were of course proud to reach our first top-level final.

 

"This year has been slightly different in that we have literally played one game, and find ourselves already in a quarter finals. It doesn't take the prestige away though, as we know we have our work cut out against Bristol Storm who are battling hard in Division Two for promotion to Division One, so they are definitely going to throw everything they have at us!"

 

 

London Heathrow Acers and Sevenoaks Suns meet for the second time in 24 hours on Sunday, with a place in the National Cup semi-final at stake.

 

The teams are also due to meet on the same court in a Division One game on Saturday in what will be first game between the teams this season.

 

However, Acers certainly enjoyed both league games against the Suns last season, winning by 30 points on each occasion. Twenty-three points apiece from Bruczko and Flo Piano helped the Acers to an 84-54 home win in November and a strong first half paved the way for a 88-58 win in Kent three months later.       

 

Acers had a first round bye before travelling across the capital to Division One rivals Brixton Topcats, and 13 points from Flo Piano helped them to a 67-56 victory.

 

Suns faced namesakes Solent in the first round and a dominant performance saw them hammer the Division Two side 74-37 with Andrea Wanstall leading the way on 29 points. A trip to fellow Division One side Barking Abbey was the reward and Suns looked well on the way to victory as they led by 14 at half-time. However, Barking roared back to take the lead by three early in the fourth as Natalie Stafford scored 15 points in five minutes spanning the end of the third and beginning of the fourth periods. The Suns then went on a 19-4 run of their own which included five three pointers, two from Kristine Lewis, to open up a 12 point lead and take control of the game with four minutes to go as they ran out 77-66 winners.

 

 

Leeds made short work of Bury Blue Devils as they hammered the Division Two side 74-37 in the first round and a 50-15 first half put them on the way to an 87-36 home win against Hinckley and Bosworth Lady Hoops in round two.

 

Nottingham had a bye in the first round before recording the biggest victory of the season in round two - hammering Wellingborough Phoenix 130-11 as six Wildcats individually outscored the visiting side.

 

 

Holders Hatters were exempt from the first round, but Vanessa Ellis' team made short work of hosts Cheshire Jets in the second round as they were hammered 123-17 in a game where the visitors were 65-5 up at half-time.

 

Mystics produced the shock of the first round as they travelled to Division One side Team Northumbria and 21 Reddy points helped them to an 84-59 win. Neighbours Stockport Lapwings were the visitors to the Amaechi Centre in round two, and Mystics led from tip to buzzer on the way to a 52-43 lead.        

 

With Mystics having dropped down to Division Two for this season, this will be the only meeting between the teams this year - however Hatters did the league double over Manchester last season. Twenty-two Sarah Naylor points helped them to a 73-52 home victory in December. In March's return, a good first period and 26 points from Caitlin Flood weren't enough to prevent Hatters winning 71-58.

 

 

Nov 29 2009	London Heathrow Acers	v	Sevenoaks Suns	ACS Cobham
1.30pm
Nov 29 2009	Leeds Carnegie	v	Nottingham Wildcats	Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie University
2.00pm
Nov 29 2009	City Of Sheffield Hatters	v	Manchester Mystics	All Saints RC School
1.00pm
Nov 29 2009	UWIC Archers	v	Bristol Storm	UWIC Sports Hall
4.00pm