Very hand-y performers
A GREAT DAY ON THE COURT FOR VIKINGS’ YOUNG STARS JUNIOR HANDBALL
NEWCASTLE Vikings Handball Club’s juniors and mini-Vikings took centre stage at an afternoon of fun matches at the city’s Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence.
The mini-Vikings and Gosforth four to seven-year-olds played three 2 x five-minute games either side of the two junior 2 x 13-minute matches between the Vikings’ Temple Parkbased South Shields satellite club and its Benfield-based eight-15-year-old players.
The Vikings Blues beat Gosforth’s Neon Greens 10-6 in the opening minis game, having led 4-2 at halftime.
The second game produced the same scoreline at the break.
However, it eventually proved much closer as the Vikings just held on for a 5-4 victory.
Gaining in confidence from those first two games, Gosforth matched the Vikings in the final minis fixture - it was 3-3 at half-time before ending in a 6-6 draw.
In the first of the juniors’ matches, Benfield let a 3-2 half-time lead slip as the Temple Park team fought back for an 8-3 success.
The second game was 1-1 at the break before a tense finish saw Temple Park also prevail 5-4.
Newcastle Vikings’ head coach Marlen Goulty said: “I was really pleased with the fantastic team spirit on show.
“All the children had lots of fun in a great atmosphere created by their watching families and friends, from toddlers to grandparents, cheering them all on.
“The supporters and coaches were especially impressed with the level of handball from both the junior teams.
“There were great shots from all positions and good goalkeeping too.”
The Vikings would like to thank all those who took part and the volunteers for their hard work on the day.