Newcastle Vikings Handball Club’s league season came to an end with a 21-14 away loss to the unbeaten Liverpool ladies side at the Greenbank Academy on Saturday .
The hosts got off to a quick start opening up an early three-goal lead, before Blessing Ogbee’s near-post strike from the left wing got the Vikings’ ball rolling. Newcastle closed the gap to two through goals from right-half Alina Inta and captain Sandra Christke from the line position, but despite some determined defending at the other end of the court they were unable to withhold several decisive Liverpool attacks on the fast-breaks, despite the best efforts of Andrea King between the posts. Liverpool’s goalkeeper meanwhile continued to pull off a series great saves to frustrate the Vikings’ shots, with two Inta penalties the only further breakthroughs during the first half. 9-5 to the home side at the break.
Liverpool extended their lead further at the start of the second half, but the scoring was more evenly matched thereafter. Left-half Judyta Turulska finally found her way through the stubborn Merseyside team’s defence, with line-player Christke picking up a brace either side of another Ogbee goal. Inta then scored four on the trot, including three consecutive delightful lobs over the Liverpool keeper, but however much the Vikings fought they were unable close the gap. Turulska’s second rounded off Newcastle’s scoring, 21-14 the final result.
While their England North Regional Development League season may have finished, Newcastle’s ladies nevertheless continue with a home friendly match against Edinburgh next Saturday afternoon, following on from the Under-16 Tyne & Wear County Trials and a Vikings juniors match. The Vikings men and women will also be in action in the final round of the North East friendly league next month, ahead of the club’s annual Tyneside Handball Tournament day at Temple Park Leisure Centre on Saturday 6 May.
Newcastle Vikings: Andrea King (GK), Judyta Turulska (2 goals), Krystina Coulson, Maren Liane, Blessing Ogbee (2), Emmanuelle Chandler, Claire Guyon, Alina Inta (7), Sandra Christke (3).