GBWR 3v3 League: Tournament One

On June 18, at Stoke Mandeville stadium, Canterbury Hellfire burst back into action after an extended break including, and surrounding, the COVID-19 pandemic by participating in the newest format of wheelchair rugby – 3v3.

The focus of this 3v3 format is to encourage low-point players to have to carry the ball and play a different part of the game to that which they are accustomed.

This was the first of three tournaments which make up this league, and the results were phenomenal for the Canterbury side: four wins, one loss.

They opened the day’s play with a maximum score of 25 to defeat Stoke Mandeville Maulers WRC, and the same pace carried to the second game winning 14 – 2 over Mavericks.

The third match of the day was close, being brought into overtime by a try scored by Canterbury with 0.2 seconds still showing on the clock, and possession for the restart in the hands of the black & amber, giving a third win to the Canterbury side.

Fourth up were Ospreys WRC who played well and made sure to give their all against the starting-to-tire Canterbury side, but were no match for the expertise of Canterbury and were eventually beaten 23 – 16.

Finally, after a day of double duty for all three Canterbury players playing both 3s and 5s, the fatigue set in and the only other team to be as-yet-undefeated was last up – West Country Hawks WRC. Going into the game both teams were unbeaten, both teams had won with a maximum score, however that closeness in performance to that point would have to be broken: there would have to be a winner; and that winner was Hawks.

All teams involved in the 3s tournament provided an excellent atmosphere and enjoyed the experience of something new, and we would like to thank all our opposition for travelling from all over Great Britain and providing a great day of rugby.

Thank you to our players for representing Canterbury so strongly, sports is largely decided by performance on the day and the performance delivered was the standard we all strive to throughout Canterbury Rugby Club.

Teams in the league are: