KESTRELS IMPROVE TO 2-0 WITH BIG WIN OVER READING ROCKETS

Image Courtesy of Justin Cowlard

Kestrels stack another win to build on positive start to the 2026/27 season, coming out with a 72-43 win against a youthful Reading Rockets.

It was the young players in the black of the Rockets’ threads that started the better, Tania Dhillon the clear threat for the Kestrels defence, not only capable of finishing around the rim, but get to the free throw line as well.

Charlotte Finn found her first points of the evening with a three… shock, in what was yet another brilliant performance upon her return to life in a Kestrels uniform.

Finn looked to kick the Kestrels’ offensive game into gear and did just that, knocking down another three from a Ruby Laight feed, a connection that will only grow as the season goes on.

Sophia Miell followed suit with a three of her own to end the opening quarter with a comfortable 20-10 lead.

Threes from Lily Blunt and Neve Sheldrick made the visitors’ life even more difficult as the Kestrels began to capitalise on the space on the perimeter.

However, it was Reading that utilised the gap from behind the arc when Thalia Bristol nailed a three to end the 1^st half.

It was Blunt who opened the scoring back up in the 2^nd half though. Great team basketball with efficient ball movement to breakup the Rockets’ 2-3 zone allowed Blunt to shoot an uncontested shot from downtown.

Two more Finn threes looked to put the Kestrels into an unassailable lead at 45-28 but with 15 minutes left to play… anything was possible.

The outside shooting didn’t stop there as Sophia Agboola, Finn… again and Chloe Lammas adding to the three-point tally.

Another brilliant performance from this Kestrels squad, who continue to put on a show at the SSC and at the time of writing sit top of the league standings.

Top Performers:

Charlotte Finn – 17 points (5 threes)

Sophia Agboola – 10 points

Ruth Bentley – 10 points

The Women’s team now have a break in their schedule and then will travel to local rivals Portsmouth Force in the league but not until the 7^th of November.