Hawks inspired by Jamal

Handball:

JAMAL Braithwaite was in superb form as his nine-goal haul helped NEM Hawks maintain their winning run in the National Under-19s Handball League.

They beat Cannock 23-16, the first time they had overturned the Midlands side who most recently beat them in last season’s cup final.

Jamal, normally a right winger, was moved inside to right-half by coach Donna Hankinson — with devastating effect.

He hit three quick goals as Hawks raced into an early 5-1 lead and though that was twice cut back to a single goal, Cannock were never back on level terms.

In what was a disjointed game of technical errors and missed chances, Jamal stood as as the star performer among the Hawks crop of England under-19 squad players.

The win was built on a fine defensive performance allowing Cannock only eight goals in each half with ’keeper Marc Howard pulling off several telling saves in the second half.

Later in the day, the NEM Hawks’ girls team took to the same court at Birchwood, Warrington, and had a convincing 39-4 win over Cannock. Left-half Becky Barnes was unstoppable in front of goal and scored 14 times.