Deja vu as starting injuries snuff out Sydney Uni Flames in opening rounds of WNBL

SOMEHOW Flames coach Cheryl Chambers has managed to find a silver lining in her teams 3-0 start to the WNBL season.

Tahlia Tupaea on the move before her accident. Pic: Geoff Tripp.

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SOMEHOW, Sydney Uni Flames coach Cheryl Chambers has managed to find a silver lining in her teams 3-0 start to the WNBL season.

The Flames were unlucky twice on the weekend, leading both their games against Dandenong and the Melbourne Boomers before ending on the wrong side of the scoreline.

“We had the same 3-0 start the year we won,” Chambers said after Sunday’s game against the Boomers left her with another two starters injured after captain Belinda Snell failed to start due to a calf issue.

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While injury-prone Opals newcomer Alex Bunton, who had an MRI on her knee Monday, is hopeful of being cleared to play Townsville in round three on Saturday, Snell is not, with the veteran diagnosed with a calf tear.

Also of concern is Tahlia Tupaea, who hit the back of her head in a heavy fall late in the second half in the Flames’ 75-87 loss to Melbourne.

Tahlia Tupaea on the move before her accident. Pic: Geoff Tripp.

Tupaea was taken to hospital and released after being diagnosed with a mild concussion but must be cleared by Flames team doctors this week to make the trip north.

“There is poential that three of our starters will be missing,’’ Chambers said.

“My gut feeling with Tahlia is that she will be out.

“I’m still waiting on updates on Belinda and Bunts.’’

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The Sydney Uni Flames are the only team in the WNBL with three losses after two rounds.

At the top of the table Canberra Capitals are the only club with three wins despite starting the season with a number of their stars injured.

The Flames were beaten convincingly by an injury-riddled Canberra side 97-78 in round one before being pipped by Dandenong 66-62 on Friday and then the Boomers on Sunday.

The Flames will play their fourth game of the season against defending WNBL champions, Townsville Fire on Saturday.

Originally published as Deja vu as starting injuries snuff out Sydney Uni Flames in opening rounds of WNBL