British Wheelchair Basketball National League Review: November 2018
JUNIOR LEAGUE
The first round of Junior League kicked off in November with Lancaster Spinners, CWBA and Jaguars all topping their respective pools, each team have a strong chance of advancing to the Elite 8’s in April. Junior League action will resume in February.
DIVISION 3
RGK Tees Valley Titans III and Glasgow Rocks II still maintain the top two spots in the North. Titans beat Calerdale and Vikings whereas Rocks also defeated Calerdale but lost against Wakefield Whirlwinds II who they narrowly beat at the start of the season. Other developments in the division included both Whirlwinds and North East Warriors overtaking Manchester Mavericks II in the race to the top of the table.
Birmingham Phoenix (6-0) came out on top 56-30 over Sheffield Steelers V (6-1) to top the Central league. The Bears III picked up a win versus RGK Tees Valley Titans IIII which was enough to keep them in third place, despite losing to both Phoenix and Steelers. Meanwhile, at the lower end of the table, there was a one-point 48-47 nail-biter between Stoke Spitfires and Leicester Cobras II which ended with Spitfires getting the win on home turf.
There have been some close games in the South East this month, as Brixton Ballers picked up a 42-40 win over Blackhawks II as well as securing wins over Brunel Bulls and SportAble Rockets. Frenford Falcons still remain undefeated going 6-0.
Worcester Wolves (4-1) top the table in the South West after a dominant 46-20 win over Thames Valley Kings II, however, they are closely followed by Cardiff Met Archers who are yet to be defeated (4-0.)
DIVISION 2
Lancaster Bulldogs ended RGK Tees Valley Titans II winning ways 51-46 as well as securing a convincing win over Newcastle Eagles to go 3-0 this season. Elsewhere in the league North Wales Knights I put up some dominant scores against Eagles and Jaguars II. Sheffield Steelers IIII claimed a narrow 53-51 victory over Lothian Phoenix.
Thames Valley Kings I and The Bears II have got through this month by keeping their 4-0 winning streaks intact, in the South. Plymouth Raiders have had an unlucky month as they lost both of their games against Thames Valley and Sparrows each by two points. Whilst London Titans III have been defeated by Sussex Bears and Norwich Lowriders.
DIVISION 1
The OWLS II still sit at the top of the North division with fearsome wins over Leeds Spiders and Jaguars I. In second place is Glasgow Rocks I who overtook Sheffield Steelers II by beating them for the first time in 22 years 72-46.
Meanwhile in the South, Sheffield Steelers III have been on fire going undefeated this month with wins over CWBA II, London Titans II, Tornados I and Swindon Shock.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Sheffield Steelers remain unbeaten in the top league with convincing wins over The Bears, CWBA and London Titans. The latter match was a two-point game for three quarters but Steelers had the wherewithal to pull ahead in the final ten minutes. The OWLS and RGK Tees Valley Titans were able to pick up respective wins against The Bears who have yet to win a game this season.
Text: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Dave Dunbar