Newcastle Vikings’ men’s team were unfortunate to finish their England Handball North Regional Development League season on a losing note as they were narrowly beaten 23-22 by Liverpool Speke Garston in Sunday’s away fixture.
Half-player Stephan Stricker lead the way for the Vikings scoring eight goals, but four two-minute suspensions proved to be Newcastle’s downfall.
Stricker ‘s four first-half strikes were interspersed by goals from winger Matthew Lamb and fellow back-court players Johannes Bellm and James Porter, before Lamb added his second just before the interval with the Vikings trailing 11-8.
The second half started in similar vein with another four Stricker goals either side of a Lamb brace and one from centre Peter Schichtel. Porter, Schichtel and player-coach Jonathan Bastit added further goals as Newcastle fought their way back into the game. Holger Schulz scored from the line position before youngster Porter claimed his first Vikings hat-trick. The Newcastle lads had the better of the second half and battled right to the end, but late strikes from Bellm and Schichtel proved to be in vain as the Liverpool side just managed to stay in front for a tough one-goal defeat.
Newcastle Vikings: Daniel Walsh (GK), Peter Schichtel (3 goals), Matthew Lamb (4), Adam Mobberley, James Porter (3), Jonathan Bastit (1), Stephan Stricker (8), Holger Schulz (1), Johannes Bellm (2)