WE are soaring towards the back end of the 2021/22 WNBL season, with things starting to shape up and teams looking ahead to ensure they remain in the finals race. There are only four matches taking place this weekend, with tonight’s clash between the UC Capitals and Southside Flyers not going ahead due to the Flyers being forced to forfeit.

Townsville Fire vs Bendigo Spirit
Tonight, 7:30pm
Townsville Entertainment Centre

Townsville will be looking to continue its good run of form this month and make it three wins on the trot.

Bendigo, on the other hand, got just its second win of the season last start against Adelaide and will certainly be looking to continue that momentum in tonight’s clash.

Townsville will certainly need to keep Anneli Maley quiet if it wants the win tonight. She’s leading her side in average points and average total rebounds this season, and has the third most average assists for her side thus far.

The Spirit will need to keep Monique Billings quiet among others. Much like Maley, she too leads her side in average points and average total rebounds this season, and has been a vital cog in Townsville’s overall success to this point.

UC Capitals vs Townsville Fire
Saturday, 5pm
National Convention Centre Canberra

Townsville has a tight turnaround between matches this weekend, and is the only team playing multiple matches across the round of fixtures. Throw travel into the mix too, and this might play in Canberra’s favour.

Speaking of the Capitals, they are on a good run of form at the moment, and haven’t lost a fame in a month by the time this game rolls around.

The likes of Brittney Sykes and Kelsey Griffin have had stellar seasons for the Capitals, so the Fire will certainly need to keep an eye on them.

Southside Flyers vs Adelaide Lightning
Saturday, 7:30pm
Dandenong Stadium

After having to forfeit Thursday night’s match, the Southside Flyers will certainly be raring to get out on court by the time Saturday night rolls around.

They are on a losing streak at the moment so will certainly be looking to get back on the winners list.

Adelaide, on the other hand, is on a losing streak of its own, after losing its last two matches to the Spirit and Capitals.

These two sides are yet to meet so far this season, but recent history is in the Flyers’ favour. The Flyers have won the last five encounters between the two sides.

Melbourne Boomers vs Sydney Uni Flames
Sunday, 2:30pm
State Basketball Centre

The last match of the round sees two sides who are coming off losses and will be desperate to get back on the winner’s horse.

Last time these two sides met it was back in December, and it was the Boomers who got the chocolates, so the Flames will certainly be hoping history does not repeat itself on Sunday afternoon.