I’m happy to say that the pace of life has been slightly more relaxed since I returned from Canada. All that remained of GB’s domestic season was the National Championships at Stoke Mandeville. London revert back to their league teams for this tournament so bragging rights were on the line between last years winners “Crusaders” and this years league winners and form team; “Storm”.

As first and third seeds respectively, we were drawn in the same pool along with the “Cardiff Pirates” and “North Wales Dragons”. Our first clash in the pool was very much a fact-finding mission with both teams probing for weaknesses. Crusader (my team) always trailed but limited Storm’s rotations and the game finished 51-49 in their favour.

Over the next day, the two London clubs made short work of the Welsh threat while the “Marauders”, bolstered by the U.S. imports “Zachary Tapec” (3.0) and “Del Dunstoni” (2.5) topped pool B. Friday afternoon saw the semi finals also run to form. Storm blitzed the “Newcastle Bulls” from the start, using their bench to great effect to secure a 59-36 win and a place in the final. Crusaders enjoyed a more measured victory, wearing down the Marauders, exploiting their lack of chemistry and taking the tie 64-38 to set up the first ever all-London Championship Game.

Ahead of the final came the announcement of the World Championship Squad at the formal dinner on Saturday evening. I’m pleased to reveal that the squad contains no fewer than eight London players and reads as follows…

Jonathan Coggan (0.5), Bulbul Hussain (1.0), Steve Palmer (Captain) (1.5), Jason Roberts (1.5), Andy Barrow (2.0), Justin Frishberg (2.0), Alan Ash (2.0), Troye Collins (2.0), David Anthony (2.5), Ross Morrison (2.5), Mandip Sehmi (2.5).

…The eleven-man squad will travel to Vancouver on September 17th.

Back to the Nationals and London faced off for the final time in the 2010 season. The game was very even from the start with everyone on the court knowing each other’s habits so well. The score remained locked until half time but Crusaders had had to use more of their time-outs. This told in the third quarter where Storm piled on the pressure and managed to stretch out a lead. Crusaders tried to counter with a tactical substitution but unfortunately couldn’t recover and Storm ran out worthy winners 46-42. Congratulations to “Myles Pearson” (1.5) of West Coast Crash for scooping the M.V.P. (Most Valuable Player) award at this year’s tournament!

London have also been hard at work off court, shaking tins at “The Stoop”; home of local Super League team “Harlequins RL”. So far two collections this summer have netted the club nearly £900 and we’re hoping to match that again with two more shakes before the end of the season. I’d like to thank all the Harlequins RL fans for their generosity as well as the visiting supporters from “Wigan Warriors” and “Bradford Bulls”.

Finally, last Sunday (11th July) I was invited to join other GB Olympians and Paralympians as guests of Visa’s “Team 2012” at the O2 Arena in Greenwich for a special live show of “Britain’s Got Talent”. It was a great day out and a good opportunity to meet other Team GB members including fellow blogger “Zoe Smith”. Many thanks to Visa for their hospitality; I guess that means I’ll have to keep posting my Blogs regularly! ; )