Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association

Women's League

3rd / 4th Place Final

OWLS LADIES   58 - 18   SWBC TIGERS

 

Saturday morning at 9:00 was the tip-off for the bronze medal game.

The Owlettes started as though they meant business as they completely overwhelmed their opponents with 16 year old Jessica Pilkington dominating the boards at both ends of the court. The Owls ability of turning defence into offence quickly saw the Tigers reeling as the Owls ladies established a commanding 22-4 first quarter lead.

The second period was a triumph for the Owls defence as they kept the Brighton belles at bay allowing them only one basket during the quarter. Captain Jill Fox (ex-Great Britain International0 and Jo Harper controlling the back court as the Owls powered on to a 32-6 half-time lead.

Coach Tarkenter had the luxury of running his and swopping his whole bench for the remainder of the game. The third quarter followed the same pattern of the first two with local Alison Andrew seeing and benefiting from some useful court time. Owls now lead 42-10 at ¾ time.

The final quarter was again one way traffic as the Owls cruised to an emphatic victory.

Scorers:  

Owls - Pilkington 34, Jackson 16, Harper 2, Fox 2, Marshall 2 and Edgar 2.

 

Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association

First Division Semi-Final

TAMESIDE OWLS   42 - 33   AYLESBURY ACES

 

Saturday tea-time saw the Owls tip-off against a strong Aces side.

In a typical start to a Tameside v Aylesbury game both sides found baskets at a premium as both sides struggled to score. Some committed defending from the Aces saw them try to knock the Owls out of their stride. This allied to poor shot selection from both teams saw a first quarter scoreline of 8-6 to the Owls.

The second quarter saw Tameside in a determined mood as Munn, Peel and Pullen (Owls big men) started to dominate the boards at both ends of the court. Again, tough pressurising and uncompromising defence from both teams saw a low scoring period as the Owls established a 20-12 half-time (14-4).

Aces however would not lie down and they came back strongly as they slowly chipped away at the Owls lead. Gaz Choudhry leading by example as he hit a rich vein of shooting form as Tameside finished 32-29 in front at the ¾ mark (12-17).

Owls steely workmanlike defensive performance saw them finally end Aylesbury's resistance as they triumphed to win by a nine point margin.

Scorers:  

Owls - Munn 22, Johnson 8, Peel 7, Pullen 3 and Tarkenter 2.

Aces - Choudhry 15, Smith 6, Proctor 6, Blake 2, Jayaratne 2 and Brown 2

 

Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association

First Division Championship Game

SHEFFIELD STEELERS   50 - 59   TAMESIDE OWLS

 

Sunday afternoon saw the Owls take on their old rivals Steelers for the First Division title. Tameside were in a determined mood as they fought a war of the roses in the Sir Ludwig Guttman Sports Centre in Stoke Mandeville.

In a frenzied start to the game Tameside edged ahead with Pullen netting nine points. Both side played committed basketball with no prisoners taken as each probed their respective defences. Owls shading the first quarter 15-10.

The second period saw the Steelers come out and press their opponents. Tameside's captain Johnson used all his guile and experience to outthink the Tykes tactics, with Munn being a willing outlet. Despite Sheffield's Finbow being withdrawn after gaining his third personal foul the Yorkshiremen took the quarter 14-12. Price leading the charge with 6 points, Bramley with four. Tameside's Munn scored all his side points as the Owls led at ½ time 27-24.

Once again it was the Munn (8) and Pullen (2) show in offence with Johnson and Mattison doing sterling work in defence as Sheffield tried to make the breakthrough. Tameside winning this one 16-14 as they went into a five point 43-38 lead at ¾ time.

The fourth period saw the Owls play some free flowing basketball. Steelers' Finbow fouled out with 3 minutes to go. This effectively put on end the game as Tameside finally rolled over Sheffield to regain the 1st division Championship.

Scorers:        

Owls - Munn 34, Pullen 14, Johnson 5, Peel 2, Mattison 2 and McLeish 2.

Steelers - Price 18, Bramley 8, Finbow 6, Sagar 6, Hudson 4, Hayes 4 and Buttery 4.

 

 

Reporter: Malcolm Jones