3rd Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Open Tournament
On Saturday July 13th the 3rd Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Open Tournament took place at Swansea Bay Sports Park, Sketty Lane in Swansea. The event was sponsored by Disability Sport Wales and was part of a Para Sport Festival.
5 teams competed for the trophy!
5 teams competed for the trophy. Each team played 4 games in a round robin tournament. There were some close games. The opening game between local rivals Ospreys and Dragons was close. Despite Ospreys building a significant lead 12 – 8 @ half time the Dragons dug deep to pull the game back and eventually win 23 – 21. Endeavour entered their 1st Welsh Open and played in a very exciting game against Gladiators for 4th and 5th position. Gladiators finally victorious 23 -22. Gladiators finished a respectable 4th with the help of Northampton Saints star Gary Callier. The most exciting game of the tournament was the decider between Dragons and Leicester Tiger Swifts. The 1st half was close ending 14 – 14. In the 2nd half Leicester began to pull away and developed a 4-point lead 24 – 20. An impressive comeback from Dragons levelled the scores at full-time 26 -26. 3 minutes of extra time then ensued. Dragons had multiple chances to close the game to win but Leicester by the skin of their teeth managed to equalise with seconds left 29 -29. A 2nd extra time Golden Goal started, Dragons won the tip, advanced to the front court and were within metres of scoring and winning. The ball was turned over and Leicester scored the winning try. What a game!
The scores from the games were:
1. Ospreys 21 – Dragons 23
2. Leicester 22 – Gladiators 16
3. Endeavour 13 – Ospreys 17
4. Endeavour 8 – Leicester 21
5. Gladiators 16 – Ospreys 27
6. Gladiators 16 – Dragons 21
7. Leicester 30 – Dragons 29
8. Gladiators 23 – Endeavour 22
9. Ospreys 13 – Leicester 21
10. Dragons 24 – Endeavour 18
Swifts Win!
Welsh Open champions 2024 were Leicester Swifts with the final placings below:
1. Leicester Swifts
2. Newport Dragons
3. Ospreys
4. Taunton Gladiators
5. Endeavour Punishers
MVP’s
MVP’s for the tournament voted by their peers and well deserved:
1. Alfie Vaughan
2. Claire Blackburn
3. Craig Godsall
Thank you to all the players, coaches, volunteers, and officials who took part and made the event a success.
