Fitzpatrick stars on Warwickshire Bears debut

WARWICKSHIRE Bears got their BWB League First Division South season up and running with a 63-46 victory over Swindon Shock.

The Bears started the game in slow and disjointed fashion, seeming to play hesitantly with each other and trying to fit the new signings, Siobham Fitzpatrick and Jacob Robinson into the new Bears’ starting line-up.

Swindon took full advantage of the Bears’ confusion and with their power forward Macauley Tomlinson, they led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Bears returned more organised, but Shock played a determined defence and matched their opponents basket for basket to maintain their one-point lead at half-time.

The third quarter proved turning point and Bears’ defence took took of the game, limiting Tomlinson’s opportunties. Bears led 50-37.

Bears pulled away further in the fourth quarter, easing to a 63-46 success.

“I always knew it would be a hard game, said Bears’ coach, Tom Masterson.

“We looked disjointed in the first half and the players took time to click, but we got there eventually.”

Siobham Fitzpatrick, who was named MVP after scoring 18 points on her Bears debut.

Meanwhile, the Bears’ second string made it a double with a 45-29 win against Thames Valley Kings.

Veteran Paul Jackson made a welcome return from injury, scoring eight points to help Warwickshire to victory.