CBL | Lady Blasters begin premiership defence with big win over Shepparton

By Zac Standish

Oct 10, 2022

Start performer: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins was dominant on Saturday night, recording 30 points in the Blasters’ big win. Photo: Megan Fisher. Photo by Megan Fisher

Seymour Lady Blasters began their 2022-23 North East Women Country Basketball League campaign in scintillating fashion at the weekend, destroying Shepparton Lady Gators 91-36.

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After sitting out the first round of the new campaign, the reigning premiers returned to the court with vigour on Saturday night, wiping the floor with the Gators from start to finish at Shepparton Sports Stadium.

In her face: Seymour’s Olivia Pearce defends Shepparton’s Alex Marshall. Photo by Megan Fisher

Tayha Watkins was the star of the night for the visiting Blasters, dropping 30 points in an eye-catching performance.

Maddison Ford was also prominent, recording 20 points to get her season off to a fast start.

Wanting to make an early statement against the inexperienced Gators, Seymour was clinical in the first term, opening up a 17-point lead at quarter-time.

Composure: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins. Photo by Megan Fisher

From there the class of the Blasters just continued to blossom, putting up 21 second-quarter points to Shepparton’s nine to skip to a 29-point half-time buffer.

And while it could have easily put the cue in the rack, Seymour showed its championship pedigree in the third, racking up another 28 points to extend the margin past 45 points.

In the post: Seymour’s Tayha Watkins takes on Shepparton’s Lexci Nicholas. Photo by Megan Fisher

It was a similar story in the final term, as the Blasters kept their foot on the pedal to end up coming away with a 55-point victory.

Seymour will have another bye next weekend before suiting up for its first home game of the season against Albury Cougars at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday, October 22.

The men’s side is yet to hit the court in season 2022-23. It will return to action against Albury Cougars at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre on October 22 to open up its premiership defence.