By Tom Degun in Manchester

May 30 - Britain's men’s wheelchair basketball team claimed the prestigious BT Paralympic World Cup crown with a phenomenal 53-42 win over Canada at the Manchester Regional Arena here today.



In a high quality match that pitted the Beijing 2008 Paralympic runners-up Canada against the bronze medallists, Britain produced an outstanding display in front of a packed partisan crowd which saw them run out comfortable winners.

The home side dominated from the outset with man-of-the-match Jon Pollock in terrific form.

Pollock had claimed ten points by half-time and ended the game as top scorer with a 17 point haul as well as ten assists.

Ian Sagar also made a great contribution for Britain as he claimed 12 points while Canada’s David Eng claim 13 points for his side including two late three pointers that briefly gave Canada hope of dramatic comeback.

Pollock told insideworldparasport: "It’s a fantastic feeling to win this event.

"It was a real team effort and the crowd here was absolutely superb.

"This is an amazing event and winning the tournament puts in great stead ahead of the World Championships [in Birmingham] in July."

Murray Treseder, Britain's head coach, added: "This tournament is really part of our preparation for the World Championships and we are thinking of London 2012 too so to win it on home turf is a great feeling but we must build on it."



In stark contrast to the men’s team, Britain’s women ended their miserable campaign by suffering yet another heavy defeat as they went down 59-24 at the hands of Australia in the bronze medal match.

The loss means that the women’s side have now tasted defeat in every single game at the competition but women’s head coach Gary Peel claimed that his side will grow from the experience of facing the best teams in the world.

Peel told insideworldparasport: "This tournament was a real learning experience.

"We’ve got a young team here and young players that were very nervous about playing but then so were some of the more experience players so we have got to work on that.

"We love coming to the BT Paralympic World Cup, though.

"It’s a great warm up for competition and it’s brilliant for the girls to play games on such a big stage. 

"This will be a stepping stone towards the World Championships in Birmingham this July and a stepping stone towards London 2012.

"We’ve just got to learn to start playing better on home turf."

In the final, Canada pipped the Netherlands 62- 46 to take the crown.

Canada's Janet McLachlan (pictured), who has undoubtedly been the player of the tournament in the women’s competition, top scored in the final with a stunning 26 points.

McLachlan said: "It was fantastic to win the BT Paralympic World Cup.

"We hadn’t thought about winning it was just small goals and the process to get better each game. 

"Winning is the icing on the cake."

Meanwhile in the men’s bronze medal match, Australia crushed Italy 65-32 with Brad Ness top scoring for the victors with 16 points.

Following the match, Australia’s Dylan Alcott admitted that jet-lag had slightly hampered his side’s performances in Manchester.

Alcott said: "Our first game of the tournament came 20 hours after a 30 hour flight so we were pretty tired.

"But it’s definitely important to see where we are at and its good preparation for the World Championships.

"Italy are a great team and so it’s good to get a win over them.

"To get the confidence of the win from that game will be a massive boost ahead of the World Championships for sure.

"We’re going back to Australia on Tuesday (June 1), where we will go to a performance camp, before returning to Birmingham in three weeks time.

"To win by 30 points against Italy, and also beat potential World medalists Britain in these last two games is great.

"Any of the teams here could win the World Championships.

"I think us, GB and the USA will be favorites which will be added pressure but we’re happy with that."

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