Paralympic World Cup: Mixed basketball fortunes for GB
Last updated on .From the section Disability Sport
Great Britain's wheelchair basketball teams experienced differing fortunes on the opening day of the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester on Monday.
The women secured a 47-43 success over a Canada side three places above them in the world rankings.
Helen Freeman was the star, leading the scoring with 29 points as the hosts edged to victory in the final quarter.
But the men lost 68-53 to France, who also beat them in the quarter-finals of last year's World Championships.
Terry Bywater and Simon Munn contributed 14 and 10 points respectively and although Britain trailed by only three points entering the last quarter, they could not fight back to secure victory.
"The team underperformed today," said Munn. "We are always building, however it is very disappointing that we did not bring the result home that we should have.
"This is the second time the French team has beaten us and that should not have happened, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for the team."
On Tuesday they face Brazil, who were beaten 55-48 by Canada.
Monday's other game saw Germany beat Japan 62-46 in the women's competition.
