A strong start to the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby: Fours league saw the North East Bulls triumpth to secure a 2nd place finish following a tough final.

The North East Bulls travelled to their first league weekend of the season, held at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent. The two day competition was eagerly anticipated by all involved with the club after a lengthy off season following the culmination of the 2022 season, which saw the North East Bulls finish bottom of the northern league in which they were competing in.
After some player recruitment and hard training, the team were ready to compete at their first event.
The Bulls started off strong, winning all their pool games against experienced opponents. Their first game against Ospreys ended in a hard thought 45-32 win, followed by another tough game against West Coast Heat – the Bulls coming away again with the spoils, 51-34.
The final game of the day for the team was against London Crusaders, a team who have proved tricky in the past given their history of talent. After a close first quarter, the Bulls proved too strong for the Crusaders, winning comfortably 46-38 to end their day 3 from 3.
The second day of competition saw the Bulls pitted against Team Solent Sharks for their first game, this was their pool cross-over game and the winner would secure themselves a place in the final.
The Sharks started strong, and by half-time both teams were neck and neck at 21 a-piece. The Bulls grafted hard and managed to wear the Sharks down enough to pull away with a final score of 52-37.
The other court saw a West Coast WRC double, with West Coast Burn playing against West Coast Heat. Burn coming away victorious to secure their place in the final game with the North East Bulls.
The final game started off intense and closely contested, however, newly retired international, Ayaz Bhuta stole the show, scoring tries for fun and proving he still has elite talent in those little arms of his.
The first half was the Ayaz show, with try’s being scored backwards as he laughed at the exhausted Bulls team chasing him down eagerly.
Coach for the weekend, Jamie Wood, looked on and was heard shouting encouraging words of wisdom -“pick him you useless sod”.
The Bulls battled on, but unfortunately could not turn things around and ended the game recording a 36-45 loss.
Well done to West Coast Burn, but the season has only just started…
Following the tournament, our very own Coral Batey won the best in class award in the 2.0 category, congratulations Coral, truly deserved and keep up the hard work!