Manchester Come out on Top in Derby Clash

MANCHESTER came out on top in their derby clash with the University of Manchester to retain their fragile lead at the top of the English Men’s League Northern Section.

Their 35-20 victory at Sugden Sports Centre in the town maintains their one-point lead over Salford, who also secured a comfortable victory to maintain their push for the title.

Eleven goals from Rybak helped Manchester do the double over the students, having led 19-10 at the break and consolidated their lead in the second half.

Georgiou scored nine goals and Girost five, and although Berezowski top-scored for the University side with five, it was not enough.

A Salford side littered with players with international experience secured a predictable 34-6 victory over Liverpool Speke Garston to maintain the pressure on Manchester.

One point behind, Salford have a game in hand and could overtake Manchester when they play that match.
Six goals each for Garthman, Woodall and Hennessy helped Salford to beat Speke Garston.

Meanwhile, third-placed Nottingham University also kept the pressure up at the top of the table with a 29-25 win over Liverpool Wolves.

With two games in hand, Nottingham University could draw level on points with Manchester if they win their games in hand, making the league even tighter.

* Great Dane maintained their table-topping form in the Southern Section with a 27-20 victory over Bath University.

Manchester beat Rivals to go Top of the Table

WITH both teams yet to drop a point this season, Sunday’s English League clash between Manchester and hosts Nottingham University proved to be a thrilling encounter which lived up to expectations.

Both sides were determined to get the three points at stake which allowed the winner to take the lead on the table.

The usual fast tempo implemented by these two teams got slowed down, as both defensive formations were solid and experienced.

Nottingham started this game with a high 5-1 which perturbed Manchester’s ball circulation. However the Mancunians managed to score by playing between their defensive lines.

Manchester defended as a unit, forcing Nottingham to take shots on the wings mainly. The outstanding performance of our goalkeeper Zolt Deak, allowed Karim’s men to enjoy their break with an advantage of five goals at 11-6.

After the break, Nottingham came back on the pitch with an even higher defensive system (4-2), which encouraged the Manchester halves to provoke one on one duels.

The ball was released to the wings when Manchester could not break through the centre.

A red card for a Manchester player and two two-minute suspensions for Nottingham men, the orange and black fought hard to close up the gap that was separating them on the score board. But they couldn’t overhaul the target, and Manchester ended up 24-17 winners.

In other Northern League action at Greenbank, Salford beat Deva 36-23 to remain as the only other unbeaten team and take second in the table, while Liverpool Wolves beat Merseyside rivals Wirral 21-15 and Liverpool Speke Garston lost out 41-17 to Manchester University.

And in the southern section, Great Dane won 28-23 against title rivals Olympia, and Cambridge battled to a 33-25 win over Bath University.

Manchester March on in English League

MANCHESTER Handball Club recorded their fourth straight victory to go top of the English League on Saturday, but they were made to work for the win by Liverpool Wolves.

Six first half goals from Girost helped Manchester to a 15-9 lead at the break, with their halves creating gaps between the defenders by moving the ball around and taking several six-metre shots.

But Liverpool hit back hard and out-scored their opponents in the second half, but it was not quite enough to overhaul the deficit.

The Wolves brought a new defending tactic into the second period, and Manchester struggled to adapt their attacks. But despite their motivation and success at shooting, Liverpool could only close to within four goals.

* This Sunday, Manchester will be aiming to keep their winning run going when they take on Nottingham University at their Sutton Bonnington Campus.

In other scheduled matches, Salford play Deva, Liverpool Wolves take on Wirral, and it’s Speke Garston v University of Manchester, all at Greenbank.

In the Southern Section, Great Dane will play arch-rivals Olympia at Leyton, while Cambridge and Bath University are due to play at Moulton in Northampton.