'Proud' Masterson pleased with league progress - The Solihull Observer

'Proud' Masterson pleased with league progress

Solihull Editorial 8th Feb, 2018   0

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: COACH Tom Masterson declared himself proud of the Warwickshire Bears Women’s team after a gruelling weekend of action in the second round of British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s League fixtures.

The side played two matches on Saturday and a further three on Sunday and, despite sealing just one victory, Masterson believes his side gave their all.

“I can’t express how proud of the girls I am at the moment,” said Masterson.

“At no time did I see any of their heads dropping. It was a hard weekend for injuries and results and just shows us that we must keep trying to recruit new players and keep training together as a team.




“I have to make a special mention of young Ellan Fraser. She was brilliant in all of our games and to finish as our leading scorer just shows how much talent she has.”

In the absence of their influential forward Sharleen Honey, Bears faced a tough test as the action began in Nottingham against Blackhawks, who emerged 50-14 victors.


The match did, however, bring a senior debut for Fraser for the newly-promoted Bears.

The next encounter against Worcester Wolves saw Bears come up against Jordanna Bartlett, who had represented Great Britain in the last Paralympics, and there was no disgrace in a 37-20 defeat.

On Sunday Bears were without two more players through injury by the time they began against Angels of the North, whose ranks included ex-Great Britain stars.

Angels were 53-28 winners as the Bears also suffered the loss of influential captain Aimee Hillson due to injury just after the break.

Victory came the Bears’ way in a friendly against Scottish Women Warriors, who were seen off 28-16 as both Anna Turney and Fraser impressed.

The Warwickshire side’s best display of the weekend came in the final match despite a 37-23 loss to Leicester Cobras.

After losing yet another member of their team to injury, the Bears were now down to the bare bones and were in possession of a limited bench.

With the previous victory and more game experience under their belt, the Bears were a much tougher and organised team as they faced a very strong and experienced Cobras.

All through the game the Bears stuck close to the Cobras but ran out of steam in the last quarter. Fraser top-scored for the Bears with 11 points.

Bears teams are back in action on Sunday when the first team visit Exeter Otters.

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