SS2 Division 1 - LondonWRC Write Up
The second super series for the top division of GB Wheelchair Rugby was held at the home of Paralympics Stoke Mandeville Stadium. After taking a look at the new National Paralympic Heritage Centre I rolled into the sports hall, the place where I first saw wheelchair rugby over a decade ago. I was now here to film and take pics of the two London teams who I also assist with coaching. So of course my hopes were high on Storm and Crusaders performing well.
Our teams were in separate pools and both had two easier matches before a third against tougher opposition. The scores below show Storm and Cru's dominance in the first two matches...
Crusaders 63 – 36 Hawks
Storm 61 – 25 Lions
Crusaders 61 – 32 Hellfire
Storm 55 – 36 RGC
For their third pool match Crusaders faced West Coast Crash and although a good game to watch, Crash fared better and unfortunately we lost 56-44. It was the opposite result across the pool with Storm beating their last pool game opposition Leicester Tigers 53-43
These results meant it was to be a London v London crossover match, always an entertaining one to watch and this one didn't disappoint. With five current GB Elite players and a couple on GB Development there was a lot of experience and knowledge on court. Opportunities for turnovers being created and either gained or lost by both teams, the lead went back and forth. If the lead wasn't flipping it was point for point, I can honestly say it was up there with the best London v London matches I've ever seen. Four quarters wasn't enough to decide a winner and it went into overtime, at the end of OT it was Storm who took the win by only one try 58-59 meaning Cru play Tigers for 3rd / 4th and Storm making the finals for 1st / 2nd.
Crusaders battle for third was close for about the first quarter, throughout the remaining Cru stayed solid, making the plays work and slowly pulling ahead eventually winning 57-41. Excellent effort Crusaders!
Now onto the clash for gold... Storm v Crash. Another match that often turns into a spectator favourite. With the agility of Crash and hard hitting Storm. There was certainly big hits but also both teams put on a tactical performance. Great rugby being played with a cheering crowd and I'm chuffed to say Storm took the win by two 46-44. Awesome work!
So final SS2 results for London teams, Storm take 1st and Crusaders take 3rd resulting in a slight rearrange of table standings. Storm are second but tied with leaders Crash on 18 points and Crusaders are third on 12 points with Tigers sitting fourth on 10. So the third and final Super Series is set to be the decider. Happening on 21st / 22nd March in Oxfordshire at the White Horse Leisure Centre. Put it in the diary and come see some one of the fastest growing disability sports. We'll see you there!
