Junior handballers took the spotlight on another busy day of handball action at Temple Park Leisure Centre on Saturday 18th March.
The morning saw over 30 girls and boys gather at the South Shields venue for the third round of the Tyne & Wear County Handball Trials, all vying to be selected for a place in the first Under-16 county handball teams.
They were followed by a mini-tournament of mixed 5-a-side handball matches between some of Newcastle Vikings’ junior players, all cheered on by lots of family supporters.
The Purples opened with 3-0 and 4-1 wins over the Reds and Greens respectively, before the Reds defeated the Greens 1-0. The Reds and Purples then drew 4-4, before the Purples won 6-5 over the Greens and the Greens then beat the Reds 2-1.
The undefeated Purples won the competition with 11 points, ahead of the Reds on 7 and Greens on 6.
The day’s action was rounded off with a friendly match between the Newcastle and Edinburgh women’s teams. With the Vikings fielding a few less experienced players, including giving two of their juniors a fun run-out in the senior side, Edinburgh were able to open out an advantage from the start. But Newcastle fought back and by half-time were only 6-8 behind. However, they were unable to withhold Edinburgh’s greater experience and powerful shooting as the Scottish side won 23-11 by the final whistle.
Junior handball will once again take the spotlight as the Regional Handball School Games Finals come to Temple Park Leisure Centre on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th April, featuring the winning U15 and U13 girls and boys teams from the recent Tyne & Wear Handball Schools Games. Spectator entry will be free with the competitions taking place between 9am-3pm on both days.
Newcastle Vikings Juniors: Purple – Esther, Bryony, Jessica, Alexandra; Red – Libby, Katerina, Jess, Simeon, Andrew; Green – Kathryn, Daniella, Joseph, Wojciech, Tahura.
Newcastle Vikings Women: Andrea King (GK), Marie-Louise Brevet, Judyta Turulska, Katerina Gibson, Paulina Joppek, Malin Walle, Claire Guyon, Alexandra Inta.