ABA 2025-26: Denmark Magpies top table and gain upper hand over Barking Owls in lead-up to women’s finals

Ashlee Kerr’s 14 points made the difference as Denmark Magpies beat main rivals Barking Owls 41-34 in the last game of the Albany Basketball Association’s women’s A-grade season before the finals campaign begins in earnest next week. The win gave the Magpies a perch at the top of the ladder, ruling the roost with 39 points, one ahead of Owls who have struggled to raise players in the past few weeks. Sonics finished third on 29 points and Railways Tigers a distant fourth on 18, though all is not lost for the bottom pair as all four sides in the competition are making finals this year. The Magpies and the Owls will meet again next week in the qualifying final, with the Owls hoping to field more than the five they managed on Tuesday evening. The Magpies took control of the contest midway through the first half, turning a 14-14 tussle into a 27-18 lead thanks to a 13-point blitz which was interrupted only by Milla Trichilo and Rebecca Benson sinking doubles from the free-throw line. By half-time, the Magpies were 33-24 up and they eased to victory without drama, maintaining their advantage. After Kerr’s contribution, Ali Judd’s nine points were next best while Trichilo hit nine points for Owls. Tigers got the better of Sonics 41-36 for their first win of the season and they will hope to repeat the feat when they meet again on Tuesday evening in the elimination final. Hollie Jackman landed 11 points and Imogen Ireland nailed 10 as Tigers enjoyed their success which was clinched thanks to baskets at the death from Georgia Whitelaw and Ireland, plus a point from Ruby Steele. Those efforts took Tigers to a victory which has been a long time coming. While unbeaten Sonics Blue marched on in the men’s A-grade with a 59-43 over club rivals Sonics Grey, Railways Tigers beat Barking Owls 59-45 and Denmark Magpies got the better of Raiders 45-37. The shakedown means Blue will play Tigers in the qualifying final, while Magpies and Owls contest the elimination final. Raiders, with three wins across the regular season, and Grey, with one, miss out. The best performance on the night came from Justin Benson who bagged 23 of Owls’ 45 points in defeat.