HEAD coach Tom Masterson says rivals CWBA are at the level his Warwickshire Bears side aspire to be – following an 86-52 defeat on Sunday.
It was the Bears’ sixth defeat in as many games in the Premier Division this season, leaving them second bottom on six points, though Masterson is not concerned as long as his team continue to give their all.
“Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say we were truly beaten by a far better side,” he said.
“That is the standard that we have to look to achieve, only hard work will get us there. I couldn’t fault our determination today and everyone gave 100%.
“We will go away and work hard to try and reach that level.”
The Coventry hosts were keen to showcase their attacking prowess and did so time and again, making regular visits to the Bears basket.
Peter Cussack and Liam Hassle stood out for CWBA and posted numerous three-pointers, much to Warwickshire’s dismay, to send the hosts 49-12 in front at the break.
With defeat looking a real possibility, the Bears let loose and put on a strong showing in the second half, bringing up their total considerably to end the game as losers – albeit by a more respectable score of 86-52 at the final buzzer.
CWBA were again the scourge of the Bears after recording a 50-22 victory in the battle of the second teams in Division One South.
With several members of the current Team GB women’s wheelchair basketball team in the line-up for the hosts, it was always going to be a tough task for Warwickshire, who are bottom after three games played but with games in hand on the sides above them.
In the third and final meeting between the two clubs in Division Three Central/South East, Bears 3rds brought success for Warwickshire at last in a 50-22 win.
The result keeps Bears top of the division after three games, thanks to another positive showing from prospects Kylen Jackson and Ellan Fraser.
