WARWICKSHIRE BEARS saw their British Wheelchair Basketball League Division One South play-off hopes ended by visitors London Titans who edged to a 56-49 success on Sunday.
Bears had hoped to reach the national play-offs for a third successive year but it was Titans who took the final spot.
In a nail-biting and enthralling game which went all the way to the final buzzer, Titans held on to secure victory and finish second in the table.
“The team are really disappointed to lose, but on reflection they should be proud of what they have achieved this season and how well they have done in their first year in this division,” said Bears coach Tom Masterson.
“For them to be disappointed in not making the play-offs shows the ambition of these players and the club and we will come back next season better and stronger and hopefully make another push for top spot and play-offs.”
From the tip-off the Titans came out strongly, breaking through the Bears defence and making their opportunities count, whilst the Bears found it hard to take their chances.
Titans led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter and by the midway point had increased their advantage to 31-21 despite Bears’ Ben Haigh and Jacob Robinson starting to find their shooting range.
The third quarter was very evenly matched but Bears trailed 47-39 heading into the final quarter.
Bears got within four points of Titans at one point in the final period but the visitors held their nerve to get over the line.
Bears 2nds will be in national play-offs action at Worcester Arena during the first weekend of June.
