North Adelaide Rockets v Eastern Mavericks Sat, Mar 20, 6:30pm at Hillcrest
North started 2010 with the toughest of victories, overcoming a 29-15 first quarter deficit against Southern. Marissa Stabile scored 17 in just her 4th CABL game and Emma Pawlowski had 13 in her return. With veteran Carla Boyd settling in, North have a good mixture of youth and experience. Eastern came within a whisker of stunning West last week with heroics from Steph Talbot and Alex Wilson at the end of regulation sending the game into overtime. Tess Madgen demonstrated the benefits of her time at the AIS with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, and with a lineup consisting almost solely of youth and speed, expect Eastern to try and run the Rockets all around the floor.

West Adelaide Bearcats v Forestville Eagles Sat, Mar 20, 6:30pm at Port Adelaide
Kerrin Webber's return to the Bearcats did not all go as planned and after surviving a scare against Eastern, West face an even tougher challenge against the reigning premiers. Webber joins Sam Woosnam, Nikita-Lee Martin and Trudy Holland to form a formidable front court, but with Irene Sourlatzis and Kate Walsh missing all/most of last season, it will take time for the Bearcats to gel. After a low-scoring first quarter, the Eagles pulled away from Woodville to win comfortably and did so without Jess Mahony. The addition of AIS point guard Kelsey Ireland helps shore up a backcourt hit by the retirement of Dee Ranford, and with Mia Newley effectively a centre in this team, it will be size versus speed.

Woodville Warriors v Central Districts Lions Sat, Mar 20, 6:30pm at St. Clair
Both Woodville and Centrals have been bolstered by foreign talent, and all eyes will be on Warrior McKenzie O'Neill, and Lion Amber Land who had a more than respectable 10 points and 14 rebounds against Norwood. O'Neill was the only Woodville player in double figures last week, though evergreen veteran Jodie Barratt and Katherine Perkas were strong on the boards. For Centrals, Elizabeth Oermann stepped up with a career-high 16 points in Centrals first game since losing Charlea Taylor. The Lions will benefit from the addition of former Maverick Emma Fellowes, and with Land still an unknown, will see this game as a possible opportunity to sneak an early win.

Norwood Flames v South Adelaide Panthers Sat, Mar 20, 6:30pm at Mars
Norwood's preseason was interrupted by Simon Pritchard's involvement in the Under 20 state program, though with every week together, will likely firm as title favourites. Jordan Walker-Roberts and Cara Boothey will bear the fruits of the week at Gawler, and Rebecca Duke will again be one of the league's standouts. South were held to 24% shooting against Sturt, and coach Glenn Shaw cycled through all 12 players looking for the answer. The big interest in this game is the debut of 6'4" Rachael Herrick who joins Norwood from Sydney Uni.

Sturt Sabres v Southern Tigers Sat, Mar 20, 6:30pm at Pasadena
Coming off a career best 13.1 points per game in 2009, Caroline Burgess will again be a force this year, and she upped that with 19 points in round 1, but it was the Sabres' defence that was the difference against South. Bree Farley made a welcome return from AIS duties and Under 20 state rep Emma Hooley grabbed 11 rebounds on debut. Southern had their chances against North, including 4 missed opportunities to tie the game in the last minute. Ex-Rocket Rosalie Cutri could be a shining light for the Tigers this year, as could Teresa Kinross who showed some early familiarity with the Morphett Vale three point line.