Yesterday, the 2019 Wellington League came to an end with the Finals day.

In the women competition, the Hutt Valley Hunters were a clear frontrunner dominating most if not all pool games and they faced off with the NZ Under 17 team which steadily improved throughout the year.
The game itself was a battle with the Hutt Hunters leading all of the game but the under 17s did not concede and fought until the last second.
While the Hunters were already up by 7 goals midway through the second half, the young ones came back and almost pushed the Hunters off the throne. But the superior experience prevailed and the Hunters won 28:26 (HT 14:13).

The Bronze final in the women competition was played between the Vikings and the Victoria University team. As both teams faced off each other 3 weeks ago, the Vikings won their first game of the season, and as they won all games since then, there was some hope we can finish the season strong with a win and the 3rd place.
The women from the Victoria University team had obviously different plans and showed from the first minute of the game their determination to win this final.
Throughout the game, the Vikings women had a few too many concentration lapses in defence and our shooting was subpar on the day, so while we battled all game and generated plenty of scoring opportunities, unfortunately, our lack of efficiency allowed the Vic women to stay on top and take away a 17:25 (HT: 9:13) win to win the Bronze medal in the 2019 Wellington League.

In the men competition, we start with the Bronze final between the Fruitflies and the Spartanz. The Fruitflies, technically a Vikings off-cut, showed throughout the season that they are a force to reckon with. And the Spartanz, one of the founding members of the Wellington Handball League has made great progress recruiting very talented new players who have shown tremendous improvements over the last 6 weeks.
The game itself was very quickly in control by the Fruitflies who came out guns blazing and never looked back. While the Spartanz had phases they looked like they might claw their way back into the game, the Fruitflies managed to keep them in check and won comfortably 39:31 (HT: 20:16).

Now let’s go to the men’s grand final. For the third year in the row, the Vikings and the Northern Aguilas faced off each other and after losing in 2017 and 2018, it was time for the Vikings to show up and break that streak.
While the Aguilas won all three pool games during the 2019 season, the last pool game was only decided by a last-second goal to win it for them. So the Vikings had plenty of belief and confidence that they will come out on top.
The game itself was probably one of the best games of this year’s league and worthy of a final including a great audience turnout of probably around 100-150 people watching.
The Viking started strong and built a 4:1 lead even with leaving out massive scoring opportunities. Especially, the goalie god himself Yoshi, seemed to be on a mission to put his stamp on that game as he dominated the Vikings shooters in that first half of the game. As the rule says, if you don’t use your chances, they will come and haunt you and that is exactly what happened, the Aguilas fought their way back and were up 4:6 half-way through the first half. Now both teams showed tremendous grit and battled ball for ball, possession for possession and both goalkeepers – Yoshi (Aguilas) and James (Vikings) – ran hot. At halftime, the scoreboard showed a narrow Aguilas lead (13:14).
In the second half, The Aguilas were initially able to hold on to the lead (13:15, 14:16, 15:17) and you could see that both teams defences were dominating the game. Goals were hard to come by but in the last ten minutes the Vikings team took over (18:18, 20:19, 22:20) and with 5 minutes to play they were closing in on the win.
Though, as Handball is, it always comes different and here they came, the Aguilas worked their way back into the game and equalised with three minutes to go (22:22), and even took the lead with two minutes to go (22:23). As you can imagine, the crowd was in the game and everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats.
Next attack, the Vikings were able to capitalise a defence mistake and equalised, they also forced a turnover in the following Aguilas attack and with 48 seconds to go had the ball in hand to close out the game.
15 seconds to play, another tremendous save from Yoshi led to an Aguilas fastbreak, a lucky deflection turned the ball over again and a counter fastbreak through Miguel landed in Paul’s hand and he kept a cool head and netted for the win, 0.9 seconds later, the horn signalled the end of the game.
The final score 24:23 for the Vikings.
What a game – great for the audience, and a relentless and fair but hard battle of both teams.

Stats -women
Spartanz HC – BYE

Grand Final
Hutt Valley Hunters vs NZ U17 28:26 (14:13)
HVH: Andrea M; Bella A (11), La W (7), Ailish A (6), Acacia S (2), Taylor G (1), Bridget K (1), Tahndae W, Leonie P, Meghan W
NZ U17: Valini V, Faith H; Eleminiotti P (11), Clare T (5), Paris T-F (4), Brenna A (3), Anneko W (1), Metiria D (1), Waimarie W (1), Tawhirikura D, Mercy-Lea T-L, Kiara-Leigh D-K, Tesara-Rose F

Bronze Final
Vikings HC vs Victoria University HC 17:25 (9:13)
VIK: Michaela J, Kristina H; Maddy H (7), Inga Z (4), Ida P (3), Maya M (1), Georgia M (1), Ella A (1), Ruby O, Izzah S, Merle A, Elizabeth T, Rosa C
VUW: Abbey L; Sam (5), Meli P (4), Sophia T (4), Haruna (4), Valerie C (3), Frances B (2), Chrissy M (1), Kathleen G (1)

Stats-men
Victoria University HC A and Victoria University HC B – BYEs

Grand Final
Vikings HC vs Northern Aguilas HC 24:23 (13:14)
VIK: Petr H; James W, Laurin S; Daniel T (6), Paul I (5), Alex B (5), Miguel A (3), Harry I (2). Liam M (1), Nico P (1), Riley G (1), Patrick D, Jay M, Sam C
AGU: Yoshi W; Tim R (6), James P (6), Zac J (4), Cameron R (4), Jono R (2), Tim B (1), James C (1), Lucas O-G (1), OScar B-I, Tyler W, William S, Pavlo P, Alex J

Bronze Final
Fruitflies HC vs Spartanz HC 39:31 (20:16)
FF: Stefanos H (1), David I; Luke I (13), Jack G (10), Tim R (8), Edmund C(3), Josh B (3), Lachlan H (1), Adam B
SPA: Rhys M; Nick P (11), Antoine D (7), Aidan C (6), Willy M (3), Te Hoera S (3), Scott B (1), Tom R, Esrah, Hayden O, Frank G

The season nears the finish line and on Sunday the men competition had their last pool round, while the women competition had their semi-final round.

The Vikings women faced the Spartanz women and were very motivated to win so they qualify for the Bronze match.
The game started as expected and the Vikings were able to build a quick lead (2:1, 5:2, 7:3) and looked like in control. At half time we were up 15:8.
While the result should speak for itself the defence still had a few unnecessary breakdowns and in attack we were missing more team play.
With the big lead in their heads, the Vikings girls lost a bit of their efficiency in the second half but the win was never in doubt. The final result was a 28:18 win and the girls are ready for the Bronze final against Victoria University next Sunday!

The Vikings men faced yesterday as well the Spartanz team and unfortunately, we were a bit thin on the bench but given our season so far the team wasn’t that concerned to start with.
The game started an expected with the Vikings playing nice team handball and racing off to a 9:5 start. Then a bunch of unnecessary turnovers in attack and resulting fastbreaks against us, as well as some bad defence, saw the Spartanz closing and taking the lead (10:12). That was certainly not what we were hoping for but it was also a good test of character for the team. After regrouping and focusing on minimising those turnovers we first equalised (14:14) and then took the lead 18:15. In the last few minutes prior to halftime, the Spartanz closed in again and the game was tight (19:18).
In the second half a couple of defensive adjustments and the better team play by the Vikings allowed us to control the game better and build a comfortable lead (24:20, 28:22, 32:23) and at the end an ‘on-paper’ comfortable 42:34 win was on the scoreboard.
Overall it seemed the Vikings wanted to avoid injuries prior to the final while the Spartanz fought hard at every minute and were able to capitalise of the missing focus at times. The second half was played with more focus and the result shows.

Stats – women
BYE – Hutt Valley Hunters HC

NZ U17 vs Victoria University HC 30:14 (18:7)
NZ U17: Valini V; Brenna A (9), Elemenioti P (7), Kiera-Leigh D-K (7), Aneko W (3), Paris T-F (2), Tesara-Rose F (2), Clare T,
VUW: Abbey L; Sam G (8), Antonella C (3), Chrissy M (2), Meli P (1), Valerie C, Vanessa

Vikings HC vs Spartanz HC 28:18 (15:8)
Vikings: Kristina H, Michael J; Maddy H (8), Charline K (6), Inga Z (4), Ida P (3), Bridget I (3), Georgia M (2), Ella A (2), Ruby O, Maya M, Izzah S, Rosa C, Elizabeth T
Spartanz:Alex; Rowan M (9), Erin R-M (5), Lara M (2), Lottie J (1), Courtney J (1). Billie, Olivia

Stats-men
Fruitflies HC vs Victoria University HC A 32:29 (21:17)
FF: Stefanos H, Cassius P-L; Luke I (12), Time R (8), Jack G (5), Brendan C (4), Josh B (3), Adam B, David I
VUW A: Wiliam R; Luke N (10), Alban N (8), Syloun P (6), Sean F (3), Felipe R (1), Matt S (1), Freddy G, Milan C

Northern Aguilas HC vs Victoria University HC B 50:12 (21:4)
AGU: Yoshi W; Jono R (9), James C (8), Zac J (6), Max B (6), Alex J (5), William S (5), Lucas G-O (4), Cameron R (4), Tyler W (3), Oscar B-I
VUW B: William R; Freddy G (6), Milan C (3), Felipe R (1), Liam A (1), Tom C (1), Patrick W, Santiago L, Matt S, James M, Maxime

Vikings HC vs Spartanz HC 42:34 (19:18) – W
Vikings:Petr H, James W; Paul I (8), Miguel (7), Nico P (6), Alex B (6), Liam M (4), Jay M (4), Harry I (3), Malte H (3), Daniel T (1),
Spartanz:Rhys M; Nick P (13), Antoine D (9), Scott B (5), Willy M (3), Te Hoera S (3), Esrah (1), Aidan C, Tom R

Another Sunday, and more Handball games.

The Vikings women team faced the Spartanz women team and the recent influx of new players and better commitment to trainings is starting to pay off.
The game started furious for the Viking women team and a quick lead was established (4:2, 7:4) and at half time we were up 14:10. At this stage, we still had a few communication issues in the defence but overall we played well as a team.
In the second half we were able to improve in all areas and the score went eve more into our favour (19:11, 28:16) and at the end, we won 32:17).
Great game from all girls and the finals can come.

The Vikings men team was squaring up with the Northern Aguilas. A game that promised intensity and two opponents fighting for each millimetre on the court.
The Vikings started with great attack sequences but the Aguilas goalie Yoshi was today in top form – again – and kept his team in the game. The score stayed close throughout the first half and no team could really pull away (3:3, 3:5, 7:6) and both teams went with a 10:10 draw into half time.
The second half turned then into a nailbiter. While the Vikings improved their scoring percentage against Yoshi, in defence we got caught out again and again by the very effective fastbreak game of the Aguilas. The game ultimately went down to the wire (15:15, 20:19, 21:22, 23:22, 25:27).
1.5 minutes to go, the Vikings two down and having the ball – oldie Daniel went straight through the middle to close down on 26:27. The Aguilas in the next attack fumble the ball and a great hustle play by Paul led to a successful fastbreak goal by Bjoern – 27:27 – and 20 seconds to go.
One more attack for the Aguilas and Max B found a way through on the right side to score with just 4 seconds on the clock and it turned out to be the game-winner.
It was – like always – a game which promoted New Zealand Handball and both teams showed lots of skills and courage but also sportsmanship and camaraderie as many of players from both teams play regularly together in NZ and Wellington Regional selection teams.
Both teams have already booked their tickets for the Wellington League Grand final on the 1st September 2019 – a must watch!!!

Stats – women
NZ U17 – BYE

Vikings HC vs Spartanz HC 32:17 (14:10)
VIK:Michael J; Inga Z (8), Ida P (7), Bridget I (5), Maddy H (4), Merle A (4), Ruby O (3), Petula M (1), Rosa C, Elizabeth T, Maya M
SPA:Laura M; Rowan M (8), Paola N (2), Lottie J (2), Taylor N (2), Erin R-M (2), Francie M (1)

Hutt Valley Hunters HC vs Victoria University HC 28:13 (16:7)
HVH: Andrea M; Ailish A (12), Bella A (6), Leonie P (4), Acacia S (3), Taylor G (2), Meghan W (1), Bridget K
VUW: Abbey L; Meli P (6), Chrissy M (3), Antonella C (2), Valerie C (2), Frances B, Vanessa

Stats – men
Vikings HC vs Northern Aguilas 27:28 (10:10)
VIK: James W; Daniel T (7), Bjoern B (6), Alex B (5), Liam M (4), Paul I (3), Nico P (2), Harry I, Jay M, James F
AGU: Yoshi W; Tim B (7), James C (6), Jono R (5), Max B (4), Zac J (3), Pavlo P (2), Tim R (1), Cameron R, Oscar B-I, Tyler W

Spartanz HC vs Fruitflies HC 28:24 (13:10)
SPA: Rhys M; Nick P (8), Scott B (6), Aidan (4), Te Hoera S (3), Willy M (3), Jonan (2) Antoine D (2), Hayden O, Frank G
FF: David I; Josh B (7), Tim R (6), Brendan C (4), Jack G (3), Patrick L (3), Michael F (1)

Victoria University HC A vs Victoria University HC B 40:23
VUW A: George G (1); Matt S (12), Alban N (10), Syloun P (10), Maxime C (4), Theo Thavisouk (3)
VUW B: Jaxson C; Milan C (9), Sam S-S (4), Tom C (3). Felipe R (3), Santiago L (3), Liam A (1)