GB topple reigning Paralympic champions Australia in Quad Nations

Great Britain bounced back from defeat in their 2020 Quad Nations opener in style as the hosts overcame world No.1 side Australia at the Morningside Arena.

The opening day of action in Leicester saw plenty of drama as USA began the tournament with victory over Australia before edging out the hosts in their second game.

But GB responded in style to defeat reigning Paralympic champions Australia by 12 points in the final game, ensuring they go into the weekend of the three-day event in good spirits.

There was little the separate the two sides in the first quarter as they went into the second tied 15-15 before Jim Roberts forced first turnover in GB’s favour.

Roberts’ intervention helped Great Britain open up a 20-18 advantage early in the second quarter and they continued to apply the pressure to take a 26-22 lead as half-time approached.

They were able to maintain that lead at the interval, leaving Australia trailing 29-25, and remained in control after the restart as they extended their advantage to 38-31.

Australia kept chipping away but they were repeatedly frustrated by Great Britain, who finished the third quarter with a brilliant try to go into the final eight minutes with a 43-36 lead.

Further tries put the hosts 52-41 ahead midway through the final quarter and despite Australia’s best efforts, it was to be GB’s night as they ran out 58-46 winners.

Earlier in the day, Great Britain were narrowly edged out in their opening match of the tournament as they lost 65-64 to the USA in a thriller.

The contest was a tight tussle from the off and Britain trailed by one try, 14-13, at the end of the first quarter – a lead the 2018 champions maintained at the break as they led 27-26.

Early in the third quarter, Britain took the lead for the first time and at the end of that period held a 40-39 advantage but the USA drew level with seven seconds left to send the tie into over-time.

Nothing could separate the sides after the first period and USA had the chance to win it at the end of the second over-time but fumbled over the line.

The scores were still level at the end of the third period but it was after the fourth period of over-time when USA finally clinched victory, scoring with just seconds left on the clock.

Picture credit: Megumi Masuda