Hawks’ late title sickener

HANDBALL; A GOAL 10 seconds from time shattered North-East Manchester Hawks' hopes of lifting the National under-18 Handball League title.

They went down 12-11 to eventual champions Deva (Chester) in their play-off semi-final and again lost by the smallest of margins — 21-20 to Warrington Wolves — in the third/fourth place match.

The Deva defeat was tough on the rookie Hawks team who came back from 7-4 down at the break to level at 11-11 inside the last minute.

Their goals came from Sam Bedlow (five) and three each for Jamal Braithwaite and James Higgins.

They again trailed in the Wolves clash at the break (12-8), but once more showed their mettle to come

roaring back, only to twice hit the goal frame in the closing stages — something they did several times over a day when little went their way.

Hawks' scorers in the Wolves loss were Higgins (eight), Bedlow (three), Wes Hunt Matt Barnes, Stefan Whaley and Braithwaite (two each) and Adam Bowie.

Coach Donna Hankinson said: "Sport can be cruel some times, but we are learning all the time and none of the top sides will be looking forward to playing us in the cup."

Deva's 14-11 win in the play-off final was deserved as their defence was superb on the day, but still a

surprise as Cannock had been unbeaten through the league season, beating Wolves 13-10 in their semi final.

These four club as now joined by Bedford for a round-robin cup qualifier (March 5 at the same Birchwood venue) to set the semi-finals for April.

They will battle it out for a place in the cup final to be played at Crystal Palace on Saturday, June 4 as a curtain-raiser to the open-age national finals.

In the girl’s section, NEM Hawks lost both their games — 16-12 to Warrington (Ellie Whitehead six, Nicola Quick three, Alyssa Woods, Aimee Cook and Lydia Morgan one each) and 14-9 to Deva (Quick four, Josie Woods and Whitehead two each, and Becky Barnes).