WOODVILLE Warriors might have received quite the scare, but they managed to start their title defence with a win in the NBL1 Central Women’s competition for 2026, defeating the Norwood Flames by five points.

The Flames welcomed the Warriors to The ARC Campbelltown on Saturday night, and the home side were going to be facing off against the Warriors for the first time since the latter won the championship in 2025, so it was going to be a tall order for the home side.

The Flames showed plenty of heart in front of their home crowd, taking it right up to the Warriors, but Woodville proved too strong down the stretch, taking control of the match after the final change and holding on for a five-point triumph.

Norwood Flames (81) def. by Woodville Warriors (86)

The Warriors started the game in ideal fashion, scoring seven of the first nine points of the game to pick up exactly where they left off last year. However, the Flames returned serve to equalise the game in no time at all, and when the buzzer sounded, it was just a two-point lead to the reigning champs, and the visitors were aware they had a game on their hands.

From there, the two teams traded baskets in some excellent back and forth action on Saturday night. The Flames were knocking down the shots from behind the arc, while the Warriors were finding success scoring inside the paint, and in fitting fashion, it was a tie ball game at the main change after a thrilling first half.

The seesawing nature of the game continued into the second half, with both teams continuing to find success scoring the ball. It looked as if it was going to be a one-basket margin once again at the final change, before Brooke Silby knocked down the three-pointer to give the Flames a five-point lead at three quarter time.

The fourth quarter saw the Warriors take over the contest, finally shutting down the Flames’ avenues to scoring and creating a gap on the scoreboard. Woodville outscored the home side 28-18 in the last term to overrun Norwood and leave The ARC Campbelltown with their first win of the 2026 season and remain one of the teams to beat.

It was an impressive 30-piece from Brittany Hodge for the Warriors in the win, with the gun shooting 11/19 from the field with all of her makes coming from two-point territory to go with nine rebounds. Taylor Ortlepp (21 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals) and Ambah Kowcun (20 points) were the other big contributors for the victors.

Despite the loss, Amy Cotton was productive on the offensive end, stuffing the stat sheet with a balanced performance of 19 points (a team-high total), eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block, trying to drag her side over the line for a strong first-up win.