Canada’s Mike Whitehead is rocked by Joel Wilmoth of the United States in the first half of their preliminary round game at the Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, Saturday at Bonsor Rec Centre in Burnaby. The U.S. won 41-35. Teams from eight countries competed in the last international competition before the Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing in September.
Canada comes third in Cup
Published: July 02, 2008 4:00 PMThe United States reigned supreme at the 2008 Canada Cup wheelchair rugby tournament held last week at the Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby.
The U.S. downed New Zealand 44-31 in the final while Canada settled for third by defeating Great Britain 32-30 Sunday. The final standings were the same as the last Canada Cup two years ago at Bonsor. All four teams will participate in the Paralympics in Beijing from Sept. 12 to 16.
Mike Whitehead scored for Canada with 14 seconds left to seal the victory over Great Britain. In the semifinals Saturday, New Zealand scored with 5.3 seconds left to edge Canada 29-28.
“New Zealand is a really good team controlling the ball and it’s always really hard to beat them,” said Canadian head coach Benoit Labrecque.
The 2010 world wheelchair rugby championships will be held at the Olympic Oval in Richmond in September 2010.
sports@burnabynewsleader.com
