Action in Day 5 of the North Central Handball Championships, on going in Makurdi, Benue State produced some eye-catching results, and a shock defeat to the women’s defending champions, FRSC Safety Strikers, of Abuja.
Safety Babes who are also reigning Prudent Energy Premier League champions, fell 28-29 to Plateau Vipers of Jos, in the very last game of the day, played at the refurbished handball courts, of the Aper Aku Stadium.
In fact, the “venomous” Vipers from Jos, were trailing 15-16 against their more illustrus Safety Babes at halftime, but good team work, and tenacious play, saw them win the match by a single point.
In the only other women’s fixture decided, Benue Queens of Makurdi ruthlessly won the derby against Dream Girls of Gboko 27-12, to climb up the log.
Four matches were decided in the men’s tournament, also played at the same venue, as defending champions, FRSC Safety Shooters and log leaders, continued with their fine form, at this championship.
FRSC Safety Shooters of Abuja needed to dig deep before eventually defeating host team, Benue Buffaloes 33-28; while Niger United of Minna remained top on goals difference, after crushing hapless Nasarawa Ambassadors of Lafia 39-11.
It was the second time in as many days, Niger United had scored 35 goals or more, having on Tuesday, thrashed Confluence Stars of Lokoja 35-23.
In other games, Poverty Fighters of Abuja extended their winning run, in their first competitive tournament to three, when deeming Confluence Stars of Lokoja 29-23 in a fiercely contested encounter.
And Suleja Shooters failed to keep up their recent good form, as they slumped 22-33 to Plateau Vipers of Jos.
Below:
ADJUSTED FIXTURES FOR DAY 6, THURSDAY
*Men*M/No 1. POVERTY FIGHTERS of Abuja vs- FRSC SAFETY SHOOTERS of Abuja.7:30am COURT ‘A’.
M/No 2NIGER UNITED of Minna vs- BENUE BUFFALOES of Makurdi. 7:30am. COURT ‘B’.
M/No 3Plateau VIPERS of Jos vs- NASARAWA. AMBASSADORS, of Lafia. 9am. COURT ‘A’.
M/No 5CONFLUENCE STARS of Lokoja vs- SULEJA SHOOTERS 11am COURT ‘A’.
*Women*
M/No 4NSCDC DEFENDER BABES of Abuja – DREAM GIRLS, of Gboko 9am. COURT ‘B’.
M/No 6BENUE QUEENS of Makurdi vs- PLATEAU PEACOCKS. 2pm. COURT ‘A’.
Women’s Section: FRSC Safety Babes Suffer Unlikely Defeat
