The New Year celebrations continued for Sheffield Steelers as they defeated current league leaders The Owls in their opening match of 2022, while the Sussex Bears continue their winning streak in National League 2.
Premier Division
Four teams brought in the New Year, getting us underway with two exciting Premier Division match ups.
Sheffield Steelers successfully carried over the momentum they had been building toward the end of the last year with a dominant performance over the current league leaders, The Owls (73:48). The Steelers wowed the home crowd, putting up 24 points in the second quarter.
Exeter Otters welcomed CWBA for their first game of the year, treating fans to a high scoring fixture where CWBA narrowly took the win (64:68). The Otters found their rhythm in the second quarter, but it was CWBA’s consistency across the game that earned them the win. Liam Hassell put up 28 points, earning the mantle of top scorer for the game.
National League 1
Division 1 North opened with North Wales Knights hosting Lancaster Bulldogs, with the home team taking the win in overtime (71:66).
Wakefield Whirlwinds took a confident win against home team Manchester Giants Mavericks (8:103), locking the home team out for two quarters with unrelenting defence.
Division 1 South got underway with Plymouth Fusion taking an important win (58:44) against Jaguars WBC. Plymouth currently sit third in the table and will look to retain their hard-earned position in the top three.
The Bears took their first win of 2022 against Aces Wheelchair Basketball Club (55:49), continuing their success at the top of the league as overall leader.
National League 2
Division 2 South saw two of three fixtures take place, with the Plymouth Fusion vs Swansea Storm game postponed.
The Bears 2 took the win (55:47) against Thames Valley Kings 2, earning back-to-back victories for the club on a joint gameday with The Bears 1.
Cardiff Met Archers suffered a defeat (42:58) to visitors and current league leaders Sussex Bears. This victory extends the winning streak by Sussex Bears to six games.
National League 3
Division 3 Central got underway with Sheffield Steelers 3 earning the win (45:25) over visitors Hereward Heat with a dominant performance throughout every quarter.
Stoke Spitfires took a loss against Leicester Cobras, where the two teams were tied in the first two quarters leading to a dramatic fourth quarter where Leicester Cobras took the win.
Division 3 South got the New Year underway with Hampshire Harriers putting up 68:17 against Aces Wheelchair Basketball 2.
League leaders Folkestone Arrows travelled to Windsor Monarchs to take a comfortable 14:50 win against the home team.
A full list of results and league tables are available here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/
