Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Reputation on European debut
Wheelchair rugby
Canterbury Hellfire Wheelchair Rugby side establ ished themselves as a force in Europe with a second place finish in a top tournament in Cologne.
Their successful European debut at the Bernd Best Tournuier professional league event follows Canterbury’s promotion to the top tier of wheelchair rugby in England this season.
First up Canterbury Hellfire had to battle through four pool games over Friday and Saturday.
Playing at the Sporthalle Herler Ring Buccheim, Canterbury encountered a cosmopolitan atmosphere with drums and maracas. Nerves were jangling as Hellfire had to get to grips with the new rules in play for this contest including a smaller court, shorter quarters and no shot clock, however they opened the tournament with a 49-17 win over Dutch side Scorpions.
Olli Mangion started the tournament full of confidence with bursts of his supreme pace while Mick O’hanlon – on loan from London WRC for the tournament – impressed in defence.
Hellfire continued their strong play the next morning, outclassing Cologne Alligators 40-22.
Captain Harry Langley, who played every minute of every game, was at the heart of everything.
Canterbury then beat Las Mambas 43-28 to take top spot in Pool F with player/coach Steve Brown producing a composed performance and combining well with O’hanlon throughout the game.
Hellfire finished the pool unbeaten with a 36- 17 over Copenhagen Ballcrackers in another outstanding defensive performance. The final was played at the Willy Brandt Arena on Sunday morning in a game streamed live on the internet.
Aarhus Burnouts had three members of the Danish national team – ranked eighth in the world – and took charge in the first quarter .
Hellfire reasserted themselves in the second half, bringing on Tim Scott and Mangion and resolute defence led to hopes of a comeback but Aarhus slowed the game down in the fourth quarter to inflict Canterbury’s second loss of the season, 55-46.
Brown said: “Canterbury have nothing to be disappointed about. In our first European adventure, to finish second out of 10 teams is something to be proud of.”
A Will Hilton penalty goal was all Canterbury could muster in reply but they refused to let the tie slip away.
Playing with the slope, Pilgrims were a different side. Hilton chipped a delicate ball through for Charlie Kingsman to race on to and score, then a 50 metre burst from Logan Woodbridge set up another chance.
Nathan Taylor, playing his last game for the club before his return to New Zealand, made the most of it with a try and with Hilton’s second conversion it was 17- 20 and anyone’s game.
But it was Maidstone. who reasserted themselves as their superior lineout work brought a catch-and-drive score.
A clever interception by their left wingman, who had claimed the day’s best try in the first half, put the visitors in command again as Caborn’s converision stretched the lead.
Pilgrims hit back with a well worked try for Cameron Townley, which went unconverted but the game ended early, with the agreement of both sides, after a Maidstone player suffered a potentially serious injury.
He was later released for hospital with a clean bill of health.