Paralympics 2012: Wheelchair rugby - in pictures

Wheelchair rugby is perhaps the most aggressive and dangerous of all the Paralympic sports. Needless to say it's drawing huge crowds - 10,000 are here in the basketball arena today
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Two teams of four players compete on a standard basketball sized court, with eight rolling substitutes each. The Brits are facing the reigning Paralympic champs USA today in a pool match
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

With opponents intent on stopping one another using their own chairs as weapons, it's a thunderous contest
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

GB captain Steve Brown hicks the deck after one such collision with USA's Derrick Helton
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The aim of the game is to carry the ball across the opponent's goal-line - just as USA's Andy Cohn achieves here
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

A scramble ensues for a loose ball. The Brits lead by two points after the first quarter
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

USA player Nick Springer advances with the ball on his lap
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

While GB player Myles Pearson lies stranded
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

David Anthony (centre) collects a pass to score
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Anthony is pumped up for the occasion. And his contribution of 11 goals has made this a tight contest
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The teams have a range of spare wheels and tyres available
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The big hits keep on coming, and Brown tips up ... again
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

GB coach Tom O'Connor issues orders
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

GB's star player Aaron Phipps escapes Chuck Aoki
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But even he isn't immune from being tipped
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Revenge comes eventually as USA captain Will Groulx is upended during another play. But the Americans eventually win 56-44
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian