Newcastle Vikings’ men’s and women’s teams got the new year off to a fine start with big wins in their friendly matches against the University of York at Benfield Sports Centre last Sunday.
The men’s match saw the Vikings extend a 10-4 first-half lead into a convincing 24-8 victory by the final whistle. New half-player Chris Morgan-Smith lead Newcastle’s scoring with six goals, with line-player Christos Iliadis netting five and captain Adam Mobberley striking four from the left-wing. Back-court players Timo Keller and Adam Batley each fired in hat-tricks, with youngster Charlie Emmett scoring twice after a good first-half stint in goal, and line-player Craig Swanson also getting his name on the scoresheet. Along with junior players Emmet and Aaron Edmundson, the match also saw a first senior Vikings run-out for Thomas Bell as the club seeks to bring through several younger players into the senior squad this season.
With the student side’s women lacking a goalkeeper, Newcastle’s keepers both played half for each team, but that didn’t prevent the Vikings claiming a similarly dominant 24-7 win, having led 14-6 at half-time. Mother-daughter back-court partnership Alina and Alexandra Inta jointly top-scored with six goals apiece for the home side, backed up by five strikes from guest Edinburgh player Andrea Raspolic. Captain Sandra Christke-Lamb, Romina Schneider and Blessing Ogbee each scored twice, with Caroline Snell also finding the net from the wing.
The senior fixtures were then followed by games between the Vikings’ junior players. The U14/16 match saw the Blacks beat the Greens 10-8, after the two sides were level 2-2 at the break. Thomas led the Blacks attacking play with eight goals, with Rohan and Edda scoring one each. Aaron and Leon each scored hat-tricks for the Greens, with Charlie and Oli also getting on the scoresheet.
That was followed by a mixed U10/12 game between the self-named Team Blue Whales and Team Pokemon in pink. Head-coach Marlen Slinning Goulty praised the youngsters’ amazing teamwork, great defence and goalkeeping, and lots of shots on goal. A fun afternoon of handball was had by all.
Newcastle Vikings men: Charlie Emmet (GK, 2 goals), Daniel Walsh (GK), Craig Swanson (1), Thomas Bell, Aaron Edmundson, Adam Mobberley (4), Adam Batley (3), Sam Downie, Timo Keller (3), Christos Iliadis (5), Chris Morgan-Smith (6).
Newcastle Vikings women: Andrea King (GK), Caroline Bergum (GK), Blessing Ogbee (2 goals), Kassia McGeoch, Maria Gonzalez-Pascual, Lisa Bendal, Andrea Raspolic (5), Alexandra Inta (6), Romina Schneider (2), Alina Inta (6), Sandra Christke-Lamb (2), Maria-Jose Gonzalez-Alvarez.
Newcastle Vikings U14/16: Greens – Oli Ca (GK, 1 goal), Nate, Leon (3), Jamie, Charlie P (1), Zavi, Joel, Aaron (3), Brendan. Blacks – Zac (GK), Joseph, Raphael, Oli Co, Edda (1), Thomas (8), Rohan (1), Andrew, Charlie E.
