West Adelaide Bearcats v Southern Tigers Sat, May 22nd, 6.30pm at Port Adelaide
The Bearcats will start warm favourites at home after their win against the Rockets last round at Hillcrest. Although Sam Woosnam will be missing for the Bearcats, Nikita-Lee Martin and Kerrin Webber more than covered for her absence last match, combining for 39 points. Southern did defeat Woodville at home but the win was achieved with a breakout first quarter when they outscored the Warriors 25 – 9, and for the remaining three quarters of the match they were outscored.  So far this season Southern has failed to secure a win against any club above them on the premiership table. The Bearcats have lost only two matches to date and it is difficult to see them dropping their 3rd in this encounter.

Woodville Warriors v Eastern Mavericks Sat, May 22nd, 6.30pm at St. Clair
Warriors Coach Lynne Holland will be looking for her team to get back in the winners’ circle at home after dropping their last match to the Southern Tigers following their great win against the North Adelaide Rockets in Round 7. Eastern will need to shut down the prime movers of Woodville in Ingrid Richards, 17 year old Katherine Perkas, US recruit MacKenzie O’Neil and Jodie Barratt who finished with a double double of 15 points and 12 rebounds last round. Eastern are strengthened by the return of junior Alex Wilson but may not have the services of junior Cody Lange due to injury. Both coaches will be looking for the all important win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Norwood Flames v Forestville Eagles Sat, May 22nd, 6.30pm at Mars
Both teams dropped matches in round 6 but since then have won their last two outings. The return of Jess Foley for the last two matches has given the Flames a major scoring boost, Foley has averaged 30ppg. Norwood’s Rebbeca Duke, Lisa Ackroyd and Amanda MacDermot are all expected to see major minutes based on their performances so far this season. The Eagles have Jess Fergus (15ppg), Jamie-Lee Bow (13 ppg), Jessica Mahony and Kelsey Ireland as their major contributors along with Mia Newley (19ppg) who is having a stellar season.  With both teams at full strength and evenly matched it is difficult to predict a winner in what should be a high standard affair.

Sturt Sabres v North Adelaide Rockets Sat, May 22nd, 6.30pm at Pasadena
Rockets coach Mike McKay and his team will have their work cut out to stop the run of the Sabres.  Sturt’s Monique Bowley (16.2ppg and 8.8rpg), Caroline Burgess (13.9ppg and 7 rpg),  Bree Farley and Brooke Sidebottom have been the major scorers in a winning combination. The Rockets have been hot and cold this season but the loss of Carla Boyd with injury has been a big blow. Under 21 player, Marisa Stabile has stepped up and produced good numbers in her absence. North’s Jo Hill (13.2ppg and 11.3rpg) can always be relied upon. The Rockets will need good performances from Shannon McKay, Bec Lock and Kirsty Williams if they are to stop the unbeaten run of the Sabres at the half way mark of the season.

South Adelaide v Central Districts Lions Sun, May 23rd, 1.45pm at Port Adelaide
The Panthers will be mindful that the winless Lions pushed league leaders Sturt for a half at Starplex last match. It was only in the third quarter that the Sabres were able to break away when they scored 23 – 11. The Panthers were competitive against the 2nd placed Eagles at Wayville but were hurt in the first half when they were outscored 59 – 37. For the Lions to break the drought, the effectiveness of Claire Johnson, Taya Crockford, Ursula Richards and Sarah Peddle will need to be controlled. The Lions will need Amber Land, Dayna Roberts, Fiona Perso and Elizabeth Oermann, who have all played every match this year, to be at their best to record an upset victory away from home.