Sheffield Steelers

19/4/10

Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club has weekend of tough battles

The Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club had an action packed weekend (17th & 18th April) which saw them win an impressive total of three out of four games.

The weekend kicked off at the Northern General Hospital Sports Hall on Saturday where the Super League team took on the Newcastle Eagles. A strong start and very powerful offence prevented the Eagles from claiming any ground and the Steelers finished the first quarter 18 – 6 up. Some terrific defence from Harry Brown, one of the quickest players in the country and experienced campaigner Colin Price, saw the Steelers storm to victory with a 70-20 win.

The whole team shot 50% and 2 players over 80% with forward Darren Greenfield and point guard Colin Price scoring 37 points between them. Coach Paul Hudson commented: “This is a great start to the weekend and although we played really well, tomorrow’s games are going to be much tougher against the London Raiders and Tameside Owls."

Top scorers: Steelers - Darren Greenfield 19 (82%), Colin Price 18 (82), Kevin Hayes 12 (55%)

                        Eagles – Lee Fawcett (8)

The Steelers 3rd division team took to the court later that afternoon for their final game of the season against the Eagles 2. They proved to have a tougher time than their club-mates against their more experienced Newcastle rivals. The Eagles took advantage of the rookie home team, penetrating their defence  –  despite stiff resistance from 15 year old Jack Waring supported by ex international Yvonne Waft  –  and finished the game 31 – 40. 

As colin Price, chairman of the Steelers,  explained: "This season our 3rd division team includes 5 newcomers to wheelchair basketball, all of whom have had to rise to the challenges of life in a wheelchair. To take on this fantastic and exciting team sport, being part of a supportive and motivational club has been inspirational for them and has helped to build their confidence on and off court. The team has a lot of potential and we will give them every possible support and opportunity."

Top scorers: Jack Waring (12), Paul McBentley (6), Yvonne Waft (6)

On Sunday the Steelers Super League team take to the court once more, this time against London club Raiders. Their second game of the weekend proved to be a tougher encounter than expected but, with some sound team tactics, the Steelers started the first quarter 15 – 11 up. The next quarter was a different story; poor offence and bad shot selection from all team members led to the Steelers ending the half 32 – 20 down.

The third quarter saw the Steelers infamous grit and determination sweep the court and bring the game level to 40 each with some magnificent fast break basketball from GB internationals Harry Brown and dynamite outside shooting from Kevin Hayes. The Raiders fought until the end, closing the gap with a 3 point shot from Andy Dear, ex GB international, but the Steelers held on to win a thrilling game 56 – 54. Certainly a game of two halves.

Top Scorers:  Steelers –  Kevin Hayes (17), Colin Price (16), Matt Wild (13)

                        Raiders – Tyler Saunders (12), Chris Weeks (12), Andrew Dear (11)

The last game of the weekend pitched the Steelers Super League against arch rivals Tameside Owls. With Owls standing third in the league and Steelers fourth this was never going to be an easy game. Not only do both teams have numerous league titles to their names, a strong mix of youth and experience – including a number of ex GB Internationals such as Dan Johnson, Gary Peel and Colin Price (all paralympic silver medal winners in 1996) – but they have both qualified for the play offs in Sheffield in May. Steelers were out to stop the Owls taking a double after the Tameside team won their home game last time the two teams met.

The Steelers, feeling slightly jaded after the previous game, finished the first quarter 14 – 15 down and despite their valiant efforts this continued into the second quarter where the Owls took a 30 – 24 lead by half time. The home team battled their way back with tremendous support from fans and great team morale, showing strong offensive and defensive basketball and buckets of determination to eventually run out the winners by 1 point when Matt Wild scored a crucial basket with 4 seconds to go. Steelers ended the game 53 - 52; an exciting end to a fantastic weekend.

Top Scorers: Steelers - Kevin Hayes (17), Colin Price (16), Paul Hudson (8)

                        Owls – Richard Pullen (13), Martin Edwards (12), Pete Finbow (11)

– ENDS –