Northumbria Bow Out With Heads Held High

Chris Bunten revealed he couldn’t be prouder of the committed group of senior players who took Team Northumbria to the brink of a WBBL playoff semi-final.

An injury-ravaged campaign meant Bunten was never able to name his strongest starting five.

However, TN fought their way into the top six at the end of the regular season and came within a quarter of toppling third-placed Sevenoaks Suns in Monday’s playoff quarter-final.

The visitors led by five heading into the final quarter only for Suns to close out a 67-56 win.

And Bunten admitted: “Fatigue caught up with us in the end. They had a much deeper bench, were able to rest key players and key times and all of that counted in their favour down the stretch.

“It’s a strange feeling. I should be bitterly disappointed that the season has ended in defeat after we took a five-point lead into the fourth period.

“In actual fact I’m so proud of the players and delighted that they fought so hard - yet again - to keep our season alive.

“It’s been a battle from start to finish and despite all of the injuries and absences we’ve kept going until the end.

“The players have shown incredible character and determination in the face of so many setbacks and I’ve had to ask a lot of certain individuals in the last few weeks.”

TN lost star guard Chloe Bully to a season-ending injury and saw versatile forward Abi Asoro quit the club for Europe midway through the season.

Rachael Bland has been absent for long periods of an arduous campaign with various injuries.

And it took Bunten several weeks to get the key signing of Kara Bonenberger over the line with the centre’s move to Sport Central mired in paperwork.

The latest blow came last month when GB hopeful and playmaker Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee suffered a concussion - ruling her out of season run-in.

“It’s been one setback after another bit through it all Alison Gorrell, Kara and Nic have been the three constants,” added Bunten.

“Claudia Baraut played 40 minutes against Sevenoaks and Rachael the same despite being far from 100% fit.

“I have to pay tribute to these players and the likes of Jodie Tucker. They’ve all been thrown in at the deep end, been asked to play more than their fair share of minutes and done so with real professionalism.

“That’s why it’s such a strange end to the season. As defending champions we’ve gone out of the playoffs at the first hurdle but that simply doesn’t tell the story. I’m very proud of what we’ve done this season.”