Trip a Super experience for Vikings

NEWCASTLE Vikings’ ladies battled hard but were ultimately unable to pick up a win in either of their matches and finished in fourth place in the British Handball Super Cup in Edinburgh.

The event, again held at the Oriam Sport Performance Centre, featured the top two men’s and women’s teams from the English Premier League and Scottish National League battling it out to be crowned British champions.

The top three qualified to represent Great Britain in the European Handball Federation’s EHF European Cup competitions next season.

Newcastle, who had finished second in the Scottish Women’s League, faced a tough opening semi-final against England’s Premier League champions and reigning Super Cup holders Olympia.

The London club’s experience and clinical finishing showed right from the start as they raced into a 9-0 lead.

It was not until the 15th minute the Vikings were on the scoresheet through right-winger Marie Brevet.

Left-winger Mathilde

Bergestad soon broke through to add a second and captain Sandra Christke-lamb scored from the line position just before the break - but the Londoners had opened up a 15-3 half-time advantage.

The second half brought a better performance from the Vikings and two Alexandra Inta penalties initially kept them on a par with Olympia.

However, despite more big saves from Newcastle’s player-ofthe-match Andrea King, he Londoners further extended their lead.

Late strikes through Brevet’s fast break, an open-play goal from Alex Inta and a brace from fellow half-player Oliwia Szymkowiak put the Vikings on the verge of getting into double figures but by the time the final whistle was blown Olympia had ran out dominant 29-9 winners.

The third/fourth-place play-off match saw Newcastle renew their rivalry with Scottish league and cup champions Edinburgh, to whom they eventually lost 24-11.

Vikings’ captain Sandra Christke-lamb said: “The girls are tired but grateful to have been part of this whole event and have enjoyed every single minute.

“We would have liked a bit of a closer match against Edinburgh but it was not to be.”