Last weekend saw the first 2022 WR5s League tournament held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. It has not been long since the previous WR5s League finished in November 2021, however, the teams entering this season could not wait to get back on court and were looking forward to the return of the WR5s League.
For the 2022 season, the competition is again split into three leagues, the Premiership, the Championship, and League 1.
After the first round, the Premiership looks very familiar to the previous season, with Leicester Tigers at the top of the table, as they have become accustomed to. Currently, the Tigers are trying to emulate last season’s clean sweep, and again, go the whole season unbeaten. They are on course to complete this, as it was four wins from four, for the reigning champions from the east midlands, led by their star player Tom Folwell, who has recently returned from captaining the UK’s side to a silver medal in the Invictus Games. Tom continues to be the Tigers main threat, dominating and dispatching whatever the opposition could throw at him.
After finishing fourth last season, Stoke Mandeville Maulers have started this campaign strongly, finishing second after the first round, only losing to Leicester Tigers. Former GB wheelchair rugby captain and long-time servant of the game, Bob O’Shea, is still showing the young players how it is done.
Northampton Saints are back in the Premiership, after finding themselves in the Championship last season, due to a restructure of the leagues. The Saints put in good performances against the Tigers and the Maulers and finished the day in third position. They will be looking to push on and progress up the table in the next round of games.
Bournemouth Lions produced an outstanding display to take the top spot, after round one in the Championship. The team from the south coast, put on dominant performances all day, and were the standout team in this division on the first weekend. With their star high pointer, Charlie Holford, firing on all cylinders, the Lions will be a tough team to beat this season.
New to the Championship are the Berkshire Banshees, who last season, just edged out the Saracens to win the division and secure promotion from League 1. The Banshees have taken their fine form into the new season, with a third-place finish in the Championship, after round one and will be looking to continue this form in the next rounds.
League 1 this season is packed full of new teams entering WR5s for the first time. These include the Penrith Pumas, Crawley Jets and Help for Heroes. Joining the new clubs are three teams with experience of this division. They are the Dragons, Brighton Buccaneers and Saracens.
Despite of the fact that half the division is made up of established teams, it was the new teams, Help for Heroes and Crawley Jets, that fought it out at the top of the division in an exciting match that went down to the wire, with Help for Heroes just pipping the Jets 13-12 and taking top spot.
This was, however, not the only close game in the first round. League 1 this season is full of competitive teams, notable examples being Penrith Pumas just edging out the Dragons 11-10, and Brighton Buccaneers defeating a strong Saracens team 13-11. With so many close games, this is going to be the league to watch.
Such close games across all the divisions, should make for an exciting second round, which tips off on Saturday 23 July back at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.
If you would like more information on wheelchair rugby fives, please contact Adam Simmons adam.simmons@gbwr.org.uk.
