WARWICKSHIRE Bears women opened their British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s League campaign with three wins from four over the weekend in Sheffield.
Bears began against Scottish Women’s Warriors on Saturday. With the absence of a number of the Bears women due to injury and illness, they were fortunate to welcome some new recruits to their line-up.
Bears were in control and, with a great performance from their junior player Ellen Fraser and helped by Anna Walford, were able to secure a comfortable 46-10 win.
Later in the evening, Bears faced a stiffer opposition in the shape of South West Wales Dragons. With so much effort put into the early game and a limited bench available, the game turned out to be a far more physical battle than the earlier game.
However, with new recruits Fran Smith and Jessica Whyte putting in great performances, Bears were able to battle to a 36-20 victory.
On Sunday, Bears began against Wakefield Whirlwinds, who had also won their previous two games the day before and looked like the early challenger to the Bears this season.
From the start the Whirlwinds had done their homework, putting pressure on the influential Fraser and limiting her chances at the Whirlwinds’ basket.
Whirlwinds played the whole game with the same pressure throughout and finished 36-16 victors.
In the final game of the weekend, Bears came out determined to make up for the earlier loss when they faced Eastern Blue Stars.
Once again coach Dan Smith went to a two-woman press to put pressure the on the Blue Stars and, with fantastic work from Walford and Fran Smith, Bears were able to force Blue Stars into relinquishing possession and the Warwickshire side won 30-14.
Bears coach Dan Smith said: “These were fantastic performances from the girls. A minimal team including three new players brought together with returning players from injuries gave 100 per cent and won three games out of four.
“I am really proud of each of them. We are already looking forward to the next round in February.”
Bears 3rds travel to Leicester to take on the Cobras on Sunday.
