The Bears Women’s team faced a tough weekend when they travelled to Nottingham to play the second round of fixtures at the B.W.B Women’s League Weekend.  With the absence of their influential forward, Sharleen Honey, it was going to be a challenge for the newly promoted Bears.  The weekend also saw the debut of Bears rising star Ellan Fraser, who was at last eligible to play in the senior game.  The first game up for the Bears was Blackhawks Women, with a very strong team.  Although putting up a tremendous challenge, the Bears were out gunned and lost the game.

Blackhawks Women: 50

Bears WBC: 14

The next game up for the Bears was a rematch against a team played at the last weekend of fixtures. Worcester Wolves, who featured amongst their squad, Jordanna Bartlett, who had represented Great Britain in the last Paralympics, had emerged quickly as a formidable opponent for the Bers. Once again, the Bears fought all the way through the game but couldn’t overcome the more experienced Wolves team.  Final score was

Bears WBC 20

Worcester Wolves: 37

4/2/2018

It was an early start for the Bears, and after a gruelling start the previous day, they faced three further games. To add to their challenges, the Bears now felt the absence of 3 players, as two of their own were required to withdraw due to injury.  First up was a tough challenge against Angels of the North 2, who once again featured some ex Great Britain stars.  Despite a dedicated and driven performance, the Bears were unable to stop the Angels strong offence, and lost their influential captain Aimee Hillson due to injury just after the break.   The Angels ran out winning the game.

Angels of the North: 53

Bears WBC: 28

The next game up was a friendly game that had been organised by the league between team Scotland and the Bears.  This gave the Bears an opportunity to regain some confidence. With a fantastic display from both Anna Turney and Ellan Fraser the Bears were able to gain their first victory.

Scottish Women Warriors 1: 16

Bears WBC: 28

The Bears saved their best performance for the last game of the weekend.  After losing yet another member of their team to injury, the Bears were now down to bare bones and were in possession of a limited bench.  With the previous victory and with more game experience under their belt, the Bears were a much tougher and organised team as they faced a very strong, experienced Leicester Cobras.  All through the game the Bears stuck close to the Cobras but ran out of steam in the last quarter.   The game also saw young Ellan Fraser emerge as the leading scorer for Bears with 11 points.  The final score was:

Leicester Cobras Women: 37

Bears WBC: 23

At the end of the weekend Coach Masterson said “ I can’t express how proud of the girls I’m am at the moment.  At no time did I see any of their heads dropping.  It was a hard weekend for injuries and results, and just shows us that we must keep trying to recruit new players and keep training together as a team.  I have to make a special mention of young Ellan Fraser.  She was brilliant in all our games and to finish as our leading scorer just shows how much talent she has.”