SOUTHEND Swifts’ under-16 girls team are through to the final of the National Cup after beating Hatfield Fliers 70-39 in the semi-finals.

Scores from Amber Evans, Zoe Willis and Kacey Realf created the momentum for Swifts and despite a Hatfield reply, a 14-2 run made it 20-4 after six minutes and 24-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Chelsea Locke’s accuracy from the foul line took the hosts to a 37-13 half time lead before six straight points, with four from Charlotte Ellmore, made sure there would be no comeback.

Swifts led 58-27 going into the final stanza and were comfortably able to hold on.

Willis top scored with 24 points while Evans bagged 17.

But it was a bad weekend for Swifts’ under 18 girls as they were seen off 80-57 by Greenhouse Pioneers in the South Conference.

Their under-15 boys side were also beaten as they went down 67-38 at Islington Panthers in the National League South One Conference, Due to illness and injury, Swifts travelled to London with a severely depleted team to face the league leaders.

Thomas Sowoolu did a fine job on offence against his older and more experienced opponents and top scored for Swifts with 14 points.

However, Swifts’ under 16 girls were more successful, winning 70-36 at London Greenhouse.

At 6-4 to the hosts, an upset seemed possible, but Southend had other ideas. Charlotte Ellmore and captain Amber Evans combined beautifully for some stunning scores and with Kacey Realf dominating the rebounds, a 13-2 run took the Essex side 17-8 ahead at the first interval.

Seven straight points for Evans was just the start Southend needed and five points from Zoe Willis made it 29-12, with Savannah Wilkinson the only real scoring threat.

Carlie Abbott came in to give scoring energy and at half time it was 35-17.

To make absolutely sure of the victory, Willis and Ellmore shared the first 12 points as the lead went to 30, with Willis able to score at will.

After that, the scoring rate unsurprisingly dropped with Swifts recording an excellent 70-36 win with Willis on 31, Evans 17 and Ellmore 12 Swifts’ under 18 mens also came out on top, beating second placed Greenwich Titans 71-65 at Thundersley’s Seevic College.

Paul Jeboda led the way with 21 points while Josh Powell added 13 and Dan Davies 11.

But Swifts’ under 14 boys team were beaten 73-42 by Ipswich Tomcats, despite Thomas Sowoolu bagging 15 points.

Next weekend sees another busy club schedule. On Saturday, both the under-18 and under-15 boys travel to Newham and Westminster respectively, while there are home games for the three girls teams. The under-16 and under-14 teams meet Hertfordshire Warriors and the under-18 girls go against Surrey Stealers. All games are at Seevic College, with the first starting at 1pm. On Sunday the under-16 girls visit Haringey Angels, while there will be a first outing of the season for the under-13 girls, who will also play at the same venue.