IT was a win 16 years in the making achieved by a group mostly still in primary school the last time Sydney won a WNBL title.
Lead by veteran captain Belinda Snell, the lone survivor of the winning team back in 2001, the Sydney Uni Flames defied pre-season expectations and a horror run of injuries to claim the highest accolade in Australian women’s basketball with a 75-62 victory over the Dandenong Rangers on Friday night.
The 13 point triumph delivered the Flames their second win of the grand final series in the club’s first appearance in the season decider in eight years.
It also snapped the Flames’ horror record of six defeats in their past six grand final appearances and delivered coach Cheryl Chambers a WNBL title in her first season with the Sydney club.
The team Snell, now 36, described as “one of the most special she has ever played in” secured the WNBL title by winning their 11th game on the trot.
Sydney Uni Flames captain Belinda Snell heads to the basket in the grand final against Dandenong.Source:News Corp Australia
“I can’t believe how emotional this is. It’s been such a long time coming, too long coming,” Snell said.
“So much heartbreak, now in the past.
“I am so proud to bring this title back to Sydney, finally.”
Coach Chambers said she was “beyond proud” of her players.
“What a super group, what a super result,” she said.
“It’s a very special moment for all of them.
“They have been a pleasure to coach. A pleasure to be involved in.”
Snell ended the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds with Opal Leilani Mitchell chipping in
15.
Their purple patch followed on from four months of grief caused by countless and repetitive injuries to players, including Snell, forward Tahlia Tupaea and young gun Alex Wilson.
Dandenong turned up to play, shocking the Flames with their starting intensity and racking up an early 11-point lead before being hauled back to six by the Flames at the quarter break.
In contrast to game one last Saturday, the Flames struggled to find the basket early and were in immediate foul strife with Alex Wilson hit for two and Asia Taylor incurring her first within the first 90 seconds.
The Flames struck back in the second period, taking the lead back two minutes into the period and then holding Dandenong at bay to enter halftime up 38-37.
Snell went on a 13-point scoring rampage in the third to lift the Flames to a healthy 58-48 lead going into the final 10 minutes of play.
It was enough of a buffer for the Flames to hold off their hosts for the memorable title win.
Originally published as Sydney Uni Flames win WNBL title
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