WARWICKSHIRE Bears teams were involved in a thrilling Sunday of action as all three sides emerged victorious.
In British Wheelchair Basketball League Division One South, the Bears’ first team defeated visitors CWBA 2nds 66-40.
From the tip-off, both teams were in good form with each going basket for basket in a shooting game. With neither team being able to take full hold of the other, the scoredboard read 17-12 in Bears’ favour at the end of the first period.
The second quarter was a mirror of the first, but with the Coventry side playing a pressing game to stifle the Bears’ offence. With Cameron Swann finding the Bears’ basket, the home team could not get any real distance from the visitors who remained in touch at just 30-22 down.
The third quarter was the major turning point in the game, when the Bears were able to find their free-flowing game. With Dan Gill and Ben Haigh taking full advantage of the opportunities made for them, the Bears went into the last quarter with a healthy 48-28 advantage.
The hosts used the last quarter to cement their victory and give some much-needed court time to their bench.
Bears’ coach Tom Masterson said: “Firstly I’d like to give a mention to Cameron Swan and especially young Tom Cutts who has only just celebrated his 15th birthday. Both of them were amazing and are a credit to the coaching staff at Coventry.
“As regards the Bears, it was a slow start again and we need to be starting stronger, especially with the teams we are facing this year or else we will come out wanting.
“On a good note, Dan Gill was back to his best and Ben Haigh was awesome.”
BEARS 2nds were 47-26 victors over Cardiff Met Archers 3rds in Division Two South.
However, the match was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests, as only two points separated the sides going into the last quarter.
It was the Bears’ depth on the bench which proved decisive in the final equation.
STRENGTH in depth was also key in helping Bears 3rds to a 56-50 win over CWBA 3rds in Division Three Central.
Both teams featured a mixture of experience and youth but hosts Bears were able to call on more players and Coventry, although pushing to the end, ran out of steam as the Bears prevailed.
The Bears women’s team are in BWB Women’s League Division Two action in Sheffield this weekend having gained promotion to Division Two last year.
