WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: TOM Masterson praised the effort of his Warwickshire Bears second team after they fought hard to win a scrappy Third Division Central tie away at Aces WBC.
The Bears took their winning start to the season on the road to Aylesbury and maintained their 100 per cent record with a 28-33 win, despite having to field a weakened team due to injuries and absentees.
It was always going to be a tough test Masterson’s side, who came up against a side who came down from the higher division last season.
True to expectation, the Aces gave their opponents a tough game right from the tip off as the Bears looked to break through a tough defence in the opening quarter.
They restricted the Aces to just four points and clocked up 16 of their own but the hosts came out stronger in the second quarter as they tired the Bears and which gave them the opportunities to cut the deficit to eight points at 14-22 by the midway point.
The third quarter followed in a similar fashion with the Aces playing a more pressing game while the Bears looked to break it down and this led to something of a stalemate with neither side taking control of proceedings.
There was just nine points in it heading into the final quarter and the Aces did their best to get back into the match with one last push.
But the Bears were able to hang on and finish as narrow winners by just five points following brave fightback from the Aces.
“I’d like to congratulate the Aces who pushed us all the way,” said Masterson. “Whilst it was a scrappy win, I’m still happy with the effort the Bears put in and how they battled to keep the win to the last Buzzer.”
