BT Super Series 1 Division 1 2015/16 Write Up!
This past weekend (28/29th November) held the opening Super Series for the 2016/15 Division 1 season. For starters, awesome being back at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birth place of GB Paralympics, an old stomping ground for LondonWRC and venue to a number of previous wheelchair rugby tournaments. As always it was good to see all the other division one teams, along with players from other divisions, friends and family all come to support their local teams. The sociability aspect of a wheelchair rugby tournament never disappoints and the same can be said for the level of competition.
Even though most pool games were won by over a ten point lead, there are always a couple of match ups where it’s hard to call. As in any sport injuries and other commitments can also hinder a team which no one likes to hear. On a more positive note, it was nice to see a few international players traveling a hearty distance to play a sport they love. Including Leon Jorgensen a 3 pointer playing for West Coast Crash who’s never give up playing style was an admiration. Marauders welcomed Jon Johansson, this experienced 2.5 gelled with team and his passing skills meant they were very dominant, topping their pool. While LondonWRC team Crusaders couldn’t gain a victory, meaning their best outcome would be in the bottom half of the table. Across the pool it was the opposite in results for London’s other team Storm who won all three pool games.
Sunday and the crossover games, Crusaders struggled against the Gaelic Warriors especially the speed of Thomas Moylan 3.5 who took home the well-earned trophy of MVP. This meant it was a fight for 7th/8th but after a close loss against Solent Sharks the Crusaders didn’t have much of a conquest and trail the table with a single point. The Storm continued to surge though, winning against RGC Wheelchair Rugby and meeting West Coast Crash again in the final. I always enjoy watching Crash play as their passion for each game is testimony to the sport. Whether winning or losing its visible right up to final buzzer. It was a close game but Storm managed to stretch out an eight point lead to top the table. You can see some highlights of the final in the videos below.
What’s next? Well both London teams will be training right up to the Christmas break and after till Super Series 2 in February. Between now and then there are international tournaments that a few LondonWRC players are heading out for, including Rugby Mania this weekend. Our YouTube channel will also be getting more uploads soon of teammate interviews, with some interesting questions. If you haven’t already head over to see our previous videos; you can always leave a comment or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter to let us know what you’d like to see. Until next time… be happy and healthy people.