US 'murder ball' champions off to winning start

LONDON (AFP) –

Britain’s Ross Morrison (L) and Mandip Sehmi (R) attempt to strip the ball from Will Groulx of the US (C) during the pool phase group A wheelchair rugby match between Britain and the US at the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park Basketball Arena in east London. The US began their campaign to defend their Paralympic wheelchair rugby title, defeating hosts Great Britain.

The United States on Wednesday began their campaign to defend their Paralympic wheelchair rugby title, defeating hosts Great Britain, as the hotly anticipated competition got under way.

Britain gave the US team a run for their money, though, leading 13-11 after a fierce opening quarter but the reigning champions eventually clinched a 56-44 victory in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at east London’s Olympic Park.

“The fans were phenomenal and Britain came out and threw everything in the tool-bag at us,” said US coach James Gumbert.

“They are a quality team — they played like champions. We felt like the underdog today — and it’s not often we feel that way.”

US star Chuck Aoki was on brilliant form, scoring 14 points but British captain Steve Brown said it was never going to be easy playing the reigning champions.

“In so many areas we match up with America — our strength, speed and agility. Player for player there is very little difference,” said Brown. “They are number one in the world and a very well-oiled machine.”

Wheelchair rugby is also known as “murder ball” because of the fierce collisions between players that means welders are a vital part of the support team to fix broken parts.

The fast-moving, often violent, game has been one of the most eagerly-awaited sports at the London Paralympics.