This weekend was an important one for Cambridge Handball Club, as all three teams faced their West London Eagles HC counterparts: there were two top-of-the-table clashes, as the men looked to go into next week’s European Challenge Cup match on the back of a win.
Cambridge Men’s II opened proceedings, looking to secure their first win of a frustrating season. Cambridge started the match uncharacteristically alert, moving the ball well and soon began to exploit gaps in the Eagles’ defence, and entered half-time 15-11 up, thanks to a number of goals from the back-court, largely from centre-player Nicolas Martin. Eagles, however, returned from the break invigorated, and soon began to draw the tie level, at one point pulling into a one-goal lead. Cambridge had begun to panic – their first half patience had all but disappeared, as Cambridge took half-chances instead of waiting for better ones to appear. As coach, Agnes Föglein, called for calm, the attack settled and the defence solidified, helped by another strong performance by goalkeeper Graham Jack, and the match moved towards a tense finish. Cambridge were able to hold out, finishing the match 25-24 winners.
The women’s team took to the court next: still in their debut season in the top league, every match was to prove a challenge, although their results so far proved they were up to it. Both teams exchanged goals in an even opening few minutes, but soon, West London’s Eagles hit without reply, as Cambridge suffered several early two-minute suspensions. Cambridge did regroup, particularly in the second half, and kept the deficit close, with Grete Morkvenaite scoring 13 among others. However, the Eagles’ lead was to prove insurmountable, and they went on to take the match 31-27.
It fell to the men’s team to brighten spirits, who went into the day as national Super 8 table-toppers. With a full bench, and several key players returning from injury, the team were optimistic – but Eagles demonstrated from the very start that they were worthy opposition. It was the West London Eagles that pulled into an early lead, with a competent back-court performance that the Cambridge defence struggled to contain, going into the half time break 19-13 down. Try as they might, goals from Florian Ströhl and Alejandro Garcos were not enough to swing the match in their favour, with every Cambridge goal instantly replied to with an Eagles goal. The team will go to Europe this weekend at full-strength, but looking for a better performance to defeat their Bulgarian hosts.