Owls add strength in depth

OWLS have had a major recruitment campaign, signing eight new players in a bid to regain former glories in the forthcoming Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball League.

And among the new arrivals is 19-year-old double amputee Martin Edwards, from Bury Blue Devils, who is regarded as a future GB international.

Another teenage newcomer is 16-year-old Jadeleigh Marshall, from Liverpool Greenbank, who is being tipped for the Great Britain women’s team.

The other captures are Sheffield Steelers forward Ian Sagar, Liverpool Greenbank guard David Robertson, Andy Wharton (Cardinals), Gary Dawson and Paul McCormick (Bury Blue Devils) and Alison Andrew (Celtic Warriors).

Bronze medal Paralympian Peter Finbow, Julian Mattison, Garry Peel, Malcolm Tarkenter, and Dan Johnson remain the mainstays of the first team.

Former Belgium international Antonio Duarte, Paul Woodward, Arangazeb Ayub, David McLeish, Andrew Liddle and Alex Williams make up the second team.

Owls, despite the absence of Finbow, began their Super League campaign in style with a 61-34 victory against London-based Raiders at West Hill Sports Centre, Stalybridge.

The points came from Johnson 18, Sagar 16, Pullen 11, Duarte 8, Robertson 3, Mattison 2, Ayub 2 and Wharton 2.

The second team won their second division north game in Edinburgh against Lothian 62-34 victory thanks to McLeish 28, Duarte 10, McCormick 10, Ayub 6, Woodward 4 and Edwards 2.

Owls first team are in Super League action at Milton Keynes Aces on Saturday (3.30pm).