Wheelchair rugby: Magpies get thumbs up

Bay Flavour: Marinda Jones sparks a counter attack with Eddie Brain in support. Photo/Paul Taylor

NOBODY would want to see Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby halfback Ellery Wilson join the tetraplegic ranks.

But should the unexpected happen and Wilson became the victim of a freak accident while playing for the Magpies or his Napier Old Boys Marist club he would have a promising future as a wheelchair rugby player according to Wheel Black and Northland sports journalist Cameron Leslie.

"Ellery was full of razzle dazzle. Ben Hamelink and Jorian Tangaere were other Magpies to shine," Leslie said as he reflected on the Magpies two exhibition quarters during the weekend's Four-Team Bash tournament at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.

"A composite team selected from the four teams played against the Magpies. We just wanted to give them a taste and they were feeling the pinch after the first quarter.

Four composite teams including members of the Wheel Blacks training squad played in the tournament. Leslie said Hawke's Bay's Tyler Jennings, who gained Wheel Blacks selection on Friday, impressed all weekend.

"Tyler brought a good attitude and was looking for work throughout all of his games. He also took on advice from the senior players."

Jennings, Marinda and Glen Jones and Eddie "Fast Hands" Brain were the four Bay players in the tournament. They gained some valuable lessons which will come in handy during upcoming national tournaments.