By Gabriel Kekong
Former Prudent Energy Nigeria Premier Handball League winners, remained top of the men’s section of the 3rd North Central Senior Handball League, after recording contrasting wins, on Day-4 of the championship which, going down in Makurdi, Benue State.
Niger United of Minna recorded the biggest win of the day, when maulling wheeling boys, Confluence Stars of Lokoja 35-23.
The victory however, kept Niger United on top of the men’s log, on superior goals difference, ahead of FRSC Safety Shooters of Abuja, who needed to hold off a spirited second half fight-back by Suleja Shooters, to win by a single point 30-29.
The Shooters from Suleja have struggled to find some form going into the tie, and they trailed 12-18 by the interval.
Earlier, Nassrawa Ambassadors lost 16-25 to Benue Buffaloes, in a game dubbed the River Benue derby; while Poverty Fighters of Abuja made it two wins, a draw, and one defeat, when thrashing Plateau Vipers of Jos 23-16, the Abuja-based team who are making their competitive debut at this championship, left 8-7 at halftime.
Meanwhile, it was a day to forget for Nasarawa Ambassadors, as the side from Lafia was again beaten 24-19 by a much improved Suleja Shooters, who had earlier in the day, given the defending champions, Safety Shooters, a litmus test.
Elsewhere, the two Day-4 matches in the women’s tournament, saw last year’s winners, FRSC Safety Babes of Abuja, underline their title credentials, when coming from 9-13 down at the break, to defeat hard-fighting Benue Queens 28-22; while Dream Girls of Gboko, crashed to a heavy 15-31 trouncing, handed them by Plateau Peacocks of Jos.
3rd NCHB League: Former Prudent Energy Champions, Niger United, Safety Shooters Remain Tops*
