Penrith Pumas wheelchair rugby team ventured into new territory when they travelled to Stoke Mandeville to take part in the inaugural WR5s competition.
There, they battled it out in two leagues featuring 12 of the country’s strongest sides, writes Ron Richardson.
Wheelchair 5s is a format the Pumas had yet to take part in competitively. The matches consisted of four eight-minute quarters with the clock stopped whenever the ball went out of play; unlike their usual matches of two 12-minute halves.
It was apparent that fitness and stamina would play a part in the course of the matches and over the weekend.
Pumas started the proceedings in Group B, playing the well established side of North East Barbarians and the strong Help For Heroes squad. The winners of this group would progress into the semi-finals.
Two hard fought games ensued with Pumas coming out victors in a close encounter against the Help For Heroes side, with the final score being 45-38 in their favour.
In the next group match, Pumas took on their northern neighbours and had a slightly easier passage, winning 54-39 to secure their place in the last four the following day.
The team reassembled for the next day’s schedule knowing they would clash with Northampton Saints, a well established outfit linked to the professional rugby union club of the same name.
Pumas had met Saints on previous occasions and this was going to be a battle in which stamina and fitness would prove vital.
In a hard-fought match, Pumas came away with a victory by 58 points to 36.
This meant they would meet Leicester Tigers, the strongest team in the country, and again one with established links to a professional Premiership rugby club.
This was going to be a battle royal between two strong sides. The game’s scoring flowed, nip and tuck, throughout most of the contest, but the experience and stamina of the Tigers saw them pull through with a 56-33 triumph.
This was a major success for the relatively new Penrith team — competing and holding their own with the strongest clubs in the country and establishing themselves on the wheelchair rugby map.
As a bonus, Byron Durkin-White, Pumas’ player-coach, was selected as the best player in his class, while Ollie Wightman picked up his second tournament MVP (most valuable player) accolade of the season.
The continued growth and development is down to the commitment of players and volunteers.
Special mention must be made of the hard work of team manager Megan Fearnley and coach Byron for their continued commitment.
