WORCESTER Wolves new wheelchair basketball head coach hailed her ‘exciting’ side, despite an opening night defeat.
Wolves lost 61-88 at home to Mohawks in the Women’s Premier League to kick off Clare Griffiths time at the top.
The Wolves got off to a very promising start, slicing through the Mohawks defensive press and forcing their opponents to change their game plan.
Ellan Fraser was particularly impressive in the opening ten minutes, proving very effective inside the key.
This did not phase the visitors and good shooting by the likes of Leah Evans and Alice McHaffie saw them build a 16-27 lead by the end of the first quarter.
After a low scoring start to the second quarter, Worcester really picked things up as they attempted to claw back the deficit.
New signing Jade Atkin’s fabulous ability to drive with the ball was paying dividends, as she had a key role to play in three excellent Wolves buckets.
But despite Worcester’s best efforts Mohawks refused to lie down and let them back into the game, meaning by half time Wolves only managed to cut the gap by one point.
The Mohawks really stepped up the pace in the third quarter, scoring 24 points and restricting their hosts to just 12 as they opened up a commanding lead.
Great Britain veteran Robyn Love was sensational for Mohawks in the third quarter, knocking down a beautiful three pointer, while Alice McHaffie was proving consistently clinical as she helped herself to eight points in the period.
One of Worcester’s own Great Britain internationals, Lucy Robinson, showed everyone in the University of Worcester Arena what an exceptional talent she was in the fourth quarter, hitting 12 of her side’s final 18 points.
But Mohawks continued to be deadly on offence, edging the final quarter by six points, with Sam Hill proving dominant off the bench to help herself to 14 points in the second half.
Lucy Robinson was Worcester Wolves top scorer for the game, helping herself to 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Head coach Clare Griffiths told the Observer: “There was some absolutely brilliant basketball out there and some frustrating stuff as well, but they are little things we can work on.
“We did some really nice things and this team has something exciting about it, the whole team crossed the floor well and stuck to our game plan.
“The new signings have adapted really well, it really felt like a team out there- we have a very strong squad.”
Griffiths highlighted sisters Jade and Adele Atkin, who both made their debuts, for their good work together.
One example of this was a well worked curl in the first half which saw Adele help her sister get in a good position to score.
Griffiths also praised Kirsty Van Der Poll, who helped break the oppositions press and scored four points, and Imogen Longworth, who hit a lovely baseline shot late on, for their performances off the bench.
Griffiths added: “There are little things we can work on, including defensive rebounds, but it is in our control to do something about these things, so we are in a good position to build on this game.”
Wolves next game sees them take on Loughborough Lightning at home on January 30.
