British Wheelchair Basketball National League Review: December 2018
UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Round 1 of the University Championships kicked off at the start of the month with Sheffield Hallam gaining convincing wins over Nottingham (83-20) and Nottingham Trent (81-10.) Worcester topped their pool as they were victorious over Cardiff Met (41-36) and Oxford (46-34.)
DIVISION 3
North East Warriors went one from two this month in the North, they narrowly beat Vikings (35-32) but came up short against North Wales Knights II (50-46.) Calerdale have yet to pick up a win this season, they lost to both Manchester Mavericks II (42-28) and Bolton Bulls (45-27.) RGK Tees Valley Titans III continued their league dominance, they beat Wakefield Whirlwinds II (45-19) as they head into the new year with a 7-1 win/loss record.
In Central, Wolverhampton comfortably saw off Derby Wheelblazers (50-24.) The Bears III claimed two victories over Stoke Spitfires (42-26) and Leicester Cobras II (49-46.) Unfortunately, the Cobras couldn’t get back to winning ways this month as they were heavily defeated (79-41) by Sheffield Steelers V.
Brixton Ballers were able to secure a (48-30) win over London Titans IIII in the South East but they couldn’t overcome the High Rollers who beat them (63-39.)
Swansea Storm intended to end 2018 on a high and they did so by beating Gloucester Blazers (44-39) in the South West.
DIVISION 2
In the North, Newcastle Eagles picked up a (66-41) victory over Jaguars II. North Wales Knights I beat Sheffield Steelers IIII (67-46.) RGK Tees Valley Titans II beat Wakefield Whirlwinds I by 30 points (67-37) and Lancaster Bulldogs went 4-0 this season after defeating Lothian Phoenix (55-44.)
Whereas in the South, the Sparrows were unsuccessful in their two games this month as they were beat (55-42) by London Titans III and (62-48) by the Aces. Thames Valley Kings I secured a (63-37) win over Plymouth Raiders to go 5-0 this season.
DIVISION 1
Northern Ireland Knights went 2-0 as they gained a massive (71-54) victory over Jaguars I in the North.
CWBA II added another (58-36) win over Tornados I. Sheffield Steelers III had a mixed bag of results as they were beaten by the southern table toppers, Exeter Otters (52-47) but they were able to come back later in the month to defeat Leicester Cobras I (88-21.) Leicester suffered another heavy (80-20) loss to London Titans II.
PREMIER LEAGUE
The OWLS I comfortably beat CWBA I (58-38) with Billy Bridge top scoring with 20 points and nine rebounds closely followed by Jack Perry (14pts) and Martin Edwards (10pts, 10reb.) They head into the new year as second in the Premier League.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
The first round of Women’s League started at the beginning of the month. In Division 3, Wakefield Whirlwinds went 4-0 with The Bears edging behind them. The Scottish Women Warriors are yet to pick up a win.
In Division 2, Blackhawks have gone 3-0 whereas North Wales Knights and London Titans have even records. Angles of the North II, Red Dust Warriors and the Scottish Wildcats are yet to gain a victory.
The Vixens currently have a 0-2 win/loss record as they are in competition with three of the best women’s teams in the world. The action was explosive between the Angels of the North I, CWBA Allstars and Sheffield Steelers. On the first day, the reigning and defending Women’s League champions, CWBA were able to beat the Angels by one point (55-54) in an electric game. On day two, the Angels looked to seek redemption and they took the Steelers to TRIPLE OVERTIME to secure a two-point (66-64) victory. This was the first time ever a women’s league game had reached triple overtime. This demonstrates the strength and depth of BWB’s women’s programme.
Tune in, in the new year for more Rollt. content, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Text: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Steffie Wunderl