Great Britain step up medal chase at Wheelchair Rugby World Championships

Tokyo 2021

A perfect 24 hours for Great Britain’s wheelchair rugby team has given them a great chance of advancing to the medal matches at the World Championships in Sydney.

Wins over former champions and current world number three-ranked Canada was followed up by a comfortable victory over Colombia at the Sydney Olympic Park.

The results leave them second in Pool B, with just France standing in their way of a place in the final four.

Great Britain went into the match-up with Canada off the back of a spirited performance against tournament favourites USA yesterday and they continued their form into the first quarter, storming into a 15-10 lead.

Canada clawed that five-point deficit back by half-time however, closing the gap to three, but Paul Shaw’s side stemmed the tide and went into the final quarter 40-32 up.

One final concerted effort saw them close out the win and do their goal difference no harm in a 55-43success.

The Brits were back on the court just a few hours later to face a Colombia side who had already beaten Poland earlier in the day.

Another strong start put paid to any hopes that the Colombians had of carrying over their momentum though as they trailed 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Great Britain extended their advantage at the restart and led 28-9 by half-time.

A mammoth third quarter, which saw them score 17 times, quashed any hopes of an unlikely Colombian comeback, and a routine fourth saw GB round off a 57-20 win.

Britain must avoid defeat to France tomorrow to seal a top two finish in the Pool stages. If they progress, Great Britain will face the winners of Pool A on Thursday.

It would be the first time since 2006 that they have advanced to the medal matches at a World Championship tournament.

Fixtures (UK time):

Sunday August 5: Poland 31-55 Great Britain

Monday August 6: USA 47-41 Great Britain

Tuesday August 7: Great Britain 55-43 Canada & Great Britain 57-20 Colombia

Wednesday August 8: Great Britain v France (07:00)

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