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Heading into the Christmas break the league tables across the National Leagues are beginning to take shape, and an enthralling round of fixtures to finish the year saw some high scores, some narrow wins and from one side in particular, an outstanding individual performance with 3-pointers aplenty.

Premier Division 

An outstanding away performance from CWBA to sign off for 2021 saw them beat Thames Valley Kings 42-74.

CWBA took no time to assert themselves, winning the tip off and scoring almost immediately. Reece Barker replied for the hosts with a nice 2-pointer, but Jake Robinson responded in style with a 3-pointer, his first of two in the first quarter.

CWBA’s incredible accuracy from distance proved a thorn in the side of Thames Valley Kings all game, unable to give their opponents any kind of space without being swiftly punished. The score at halftime was 21 – 41, thanks to a brilliant all-around performance from 1.5 player Robinson. Deadly from any distance, scoring 18 points in total, but also demonstrating brilliance in the creative department with 6 assists, more than any other player on the court.

A deserved away win for CWBA takes them to second in the table, with two games in hand over leaders The Owls.

The Owls were also victorious this weekend, beating Glasgow Rollin’ Rocks 64 – 46 to continue in a rich vein of form that sees them top the tree going into Christmas.

Division 1 

A ‘Super Sunday’ in Division 1 North saw two high scoring games. Wakefield Whirlwinds narrowly beat Lancaster Bulldogs 59 – 44, and Mohawks 2 were ruthless in a 25 – 85 win over Manchester Giants Mavericks, taking their points total for the season to 13.

Bulldogs will have a chance to bounce back from a close defeat in the new year as they travel away to North Wales Knights.

Division 2 

In Division 2 South, there was a top of the table clash as Sussex Bears overcame a stern test with a 47 – 34 win over Plymouth Fusion. The Bears now sit 2 points clear of Plymouth, winning 5 out of 5 and looking well placed to finish top of the league if they continue their faultless form into the new year.

Division 3 

A further 2 games in Division 3 South, as Thames Valley Kings 3 emerged victorious in a close encounter with Brixton Ballers. 37-30 the final score, a couple of slick baskets the difference between the two teams.

Elsewhere, Sussex Bears 2 were unable to come away with the points as they were defeated Aces WBC 18 -30.

A full list of results and league tables are available here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

Eleven games across the National League this weekend, with a whole host of upsets and close games as we approach the Christmas break. We saw action in all four divisions, with the usual array of marvellous baskets and competitive contests up and down the country.

Premier Division 

We were treated to six teams in action in the Premier Division over this weekend, the Mohawks strengthening their position at the top of the table with a win over bottom placed Glasgow Rolling Rocks. Liam Fawcett starred offensively, netting 34 points – such was his importance to the team given his shooting form he played the full duration of the game.

Glasgow Rocks rallied in the final 10 minutes and came out on top in the last quarter, Austin McKenzie and Jamie Beattie combining well to finish the game strongly.

Elsewhere in Sheffield, the Steelers narrowly edged out Thames Valley Kings with a final score of 60 -53. It was an outstanding third quarter that ultimately decided the contest, with the contest tied at halftime the likes of Will Bonner and Conn Nagle turned on the style to establish a lead to hold onto going into the final stages. Thames Valley player PJ O’donovan was influential throughout the contest, his creative capabilities on full display as he provided four assists for his teammates.

The Owls were the only team away to win this weekend, getting the better of Exeter Otters with a huge final quarter. The game was finely poised with 10 minutes to go, but The Owls added 18 points in that final quarter to ensure they would finish a hard-fought contest on top.

Division 1 

Sheffield Steelers 2 were also victorious in Division 1 North, another tight encounter against North Wales Knights that ended 42-48 in favour of the Yorkshire side. The win lifts them ahead of their opponents in the league table, up into second behind Mohawks 2.

Despite sitting on top of the tree as we approach the Christmas period, Mohawks 2 lost out against Wakefield Whirlwinds, who picked up their first win of the season at the fourth attempt – and will be looking to progress after a morale-boosting win against high quality and high-flying opponents.

To complete the Sunday fixtures in the north, Lancaster Bulldogs negotiated a tricky test against Manchester Giants Mavericks – putting in an impressive defensive performance to restrict the Manchester side to 26 points, scoring 53 themselves.

Down South, just the one fixture in Division 1 but plenty of points as both teams brought their A-game offensively – The Bears beating the Jaguars 75-60.

Division 2 

Close games continued to be the theme of the weekend in In Division 2, as Glasgow Rollin’ Rocks 2 just edged out Wakefield Whirlwinds 43-47, taking a precious win against the league leaders back to Scotland.  

In the Southern division, Cardiif Met won their first game of the season with yet another tight encounter, beating second place Plymouth Fusion by just 6 points, a final score of 58-52.

Division 3 

In Division 3 North, Mohawks 3 put in an outstanding attacking performance at home to rack up 74 points against Calderdale WBC, and remained resilient enough to restrict their adversaries to just 23 points over four quarters.

Leicester Cobras took the win in their second game of the season, beating top of the table CWBA 45 -35 to bounce back from a narrow loss to Sheffield Steelers 3 back in October. 

A full list of results and league tables are available here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

Following their semi-final match today at the European Championships in Madrid, the Great Britain Women’s squad have taken the decision to return home and will take no further part in the tournament.

Concerns remains about the situation regarding Covid 19 in Madrid following a second positive test in the GB Women’s team earlier this week.

Throughout the tournament, British Wheelchair Basketball has given all players and staff members the opportunity to return home, should they have any concerns about Covid-19. Following their semi-final match, the squad have now decided to return home.

British Wheelchair Basketball has consistently prioritised the health and wellbeing of its players and they return home with the full support of the organisation.