London Women battle it out at Leyton

Saturday the 17th November saw some of the best womens handball action this season at Leyton, London.

Squirrels 25 - 20 Oxford Uni

The day started with a match between Squirrels with only 6 players available, against Oxford Uni. Despite the lack of players Squirrels were able to convincingly beat the Uni team. The woman of the match was Olimpia Lopesde of Squirrels who scored 5 goals who in the heat of the action picked up a red card.

 

Great Dane 18 - 20 Ruislip Eagles

The second match between the champions Great Danes and last years runners up Ruislip Eagles. This match lived up to expectation and was hard fought throughout. Ruislip were without top scorer Danni Sposi and to compound their problems, Danes top scorer Iris Manu passed a late fitness test to get into the team. Danes started the better and quickly pulled away into a 5 - 1 lead, with Manu already in her stride with 3 quick goals. Ruislip were slow to get into an attacking flow and as usual found goal keeper Carlota Berruezo in dominant form. After 10 minutes though Ruilsip began to ease their way into the game with Kocisova and Telej finding ways through a solid danes defence. With less than a minute of the first half remaining, Erika Recska scored a fine solo goal to ensure Ruilsip went in at half time only trailing by one goal.

The second half was goal for goal but Ruislip just started to move ahead following 2 two minutes for danes. Manu however kept a cool head to convert several penalties and scored 7 goals in a row for danes and the teams drew level. Ruislip edged ahead 19 - 18 only to have Kocisova red carded and Soloman also off for two minutes after dissent from the Ruislip bench. With three minutes remaining Danes tried to find a way past the 4 court players of Ruislip but they held out and even scored through Recska. Ruislip managed another goal to spark joyful celebrations at the end as Ruislip won 20 - 18.

Iris Manu was voted player of the match with a 10 goal haul for Danes. Recska top scored for Ruislip with 6. There is no doubt however that Danes will be fighting back and this season looks like being an extremely close fought competition.

Mel Chowns