loop back – Game day #2

The second game day of the 2018 season was set to play on the 10th of June. Due to 10+ Vikings players being selected to play for New Zealand at the Oceania Youth & Junior Championships, two men games were postponed to Sunday, the 1st July.

Men Competition

Vikings HC Danes vs Spartanz HC 36:29
The game was closer than expected and very competitive. Both teams fought hard, with the Danes coming out on top due to a very strong finish. The Spartanz improved significantly over the last few games and showed this again in this game. Though the Danes didn’t panic and kept patience making sure they focused on their strength, team play and defence. Great season debut by our  Goalie Petr Holic who looked great and not rusty at all – though he will argue differently. 
Danes: Petr Holid, James Weston; Luke Ireland 7, Todd Anderson 4, Miguel Aizpuru 4, Alex Bickers 4, Jack Gallagher 4, Nicolas Piveateau 3, Harry Ireland 3, Paul Ireland 2, Joakim Cnattinguis 2, Patrick Davy 2, Angus Hazelton 1, Daniel Triebsch
Spartanz: Thomas Roxburgh; Nicholas Potter 7, Antoine Desnos 6, Tom Zur Bruegge 5, Willy Makea 5, Toby Stephen 3, Rocco Wilhemli 2, Baptiste Bouchereau 1, Fred Han, Scott Balmforth, Kishore Bahirathan

Vikings HC Norse vs Vic Uni HC Turtles 25:21
The Norse faced today the team that was beaten by the Danes last week. With still a few players injured, sick and away, the Norse welcomed back Nino DeGregorio and welcomed newly Charlie Harris who were happy to help while they are in Wellington visiting family.
The game was close from start to mid-way through the second half. The Norse had phases were they acted relatively unlucky giving away to easy turnovers and inviting the Turtles to easy goals. Thanks to both Goalkeepers, Cass & Will, the Norse were not always punished and could stay on a winning path. In the last 10-15 minutes, the team created some needed separation in the score and were able to close the deal, finishing with a 25:21 win.
Norse: William O’Connor, Cassius Papera-Lewin; Miguel Aizpuru 5, Antoninio DeGregorio 4, Charlie Harris 4, Patrick Davy 4, Till-Niklas Braun 3, Alex Bickers 2, Bjoern Bengelsdorf 1. Paul Ireland 1, Liam Madigan 1, Patrick Garner
Turtles: Finn O’Brien; Ben Potaka 4, Luke Naylor 3, Adam Bradley 3, Brendan Courtney 2, Elliott Cheeseman 2, Sean Feehan 2, Jason Roche 1, Jaxson Crouch 1, Michael Fenton 1, Te Kopae Filo 1, Daniel Moss, Fabio Surarez, Josh Love

League Day 4

Yesterday, all our three Vikings teams were in action and all teams played really well.

Men Competition

Vikings HC Danes vs Vic Uni HC Turtles 40:21
The Danes went as the favourite in this game and did show from start to finish their dominance in all areas.  All field players managed to score and both defence and attack have shown stability and flair.
Danes: James Weston; Luke Ireland 6, Angus Hazelton 5, Daniel Triebsch 4, Paul Ireland 4, Jack Gallagher 4, Nicolas Piveteau 4, Todd Anderson 4, Miguel Aizpuru 2, Alex Bickers 2, Patrick Davy 2, Harry Ireland 2, Joakim Cnattignius 1
Turtles: Finn O’Brien; Luke Naylor 6, Tateva Johnson 4, Ocean Grady 4, Sean Feehan 2, Daniel Moss 2, Jason Roche 1, Ben Potaka 1, Brendan Courtney 1, Fabio Soares 1, Michael Fenton, Locky Brown, Francisco Verbo

Vikings HC Norse vs Vic Uni HC Lions 31:8
The Norse, faced the Lions, a Vic Uni development team that improved a lot over the last few weeks. Though, the Norse were still the big favourites in that matchup.
There was never a moment during the game the win was in question, but there were also a few things the Norse will need to work on to be able to be further successful.
Norse: Will O’Connor 2; Liam Madigan 6, Angus Hazelton 5, Paul Ireland 4, Miguel Aizpuru 4, Bjoern Bengelsdorf 3, Josh Peterson 2, Jared Peterson 2, Shyam Saijan 2, Paddy Davy 1
Lions: Finn O’Brien; Josh Love 4, Freddy Gard 2, Te Kopae Filo 1, Hayden Rolston 1, Matthew Geange, Finn Russell, Josh Turnbull, Will Wallis, Patrick Wallis, Kian Foulkes, Jaxson Crouch

Northern Aguilas HC vs Spartanz HC 39:22
Aguilas: Yoshi Watanabe; Nick Shields 14, Tim Rayner 7, James Palmer 6, Tim Banks 4, Jono Rayner 4, Zac Jarvis 2, Aaron Huddleston 1, Tyler Warrington 1, William Smith, Cameron Ross
Spartanz: Thomas Roxburgh; Antoine Desnos 7, Baptiste Bouchereau 7, Rocco Wilhelmi 3, Nick Potter 2, Toby Stephen 2, Scott Balmforth 1, Mariusz Kanacki, Sam Grayling, Tom Zur Brugge, Willy Makea

Women Competition

Vikings HC vs Vic Uni HC Ravens 18:23
The Vikings women had a tough game versus the Ravens. Especially the Raven’s excellent goalkeeper challenged the Vikings players throughout the game and was instrumental for the Raven’s win. On the other side, the Vikings players are showing more and more their team play and building great chemistry amongst each other. A special mentioning here to Michaela, the Vikings goalkeeper, who showed great reflexes and helped the team immensely to stay close and keep the winning chance real.
Vikings: Michael Jensen; Paris Tuimaseve-Fox 4, Alexandra Mair 4, Madeleine Hazelton 3, Josie Dixon 3, Te Mapihi Tutua-Nathan 3, Amelie Krewel 1, Siri Kolbeinsen
Ravens: Abbey L’Estrange; Madeleine Stephen 11, Samantha Gard 6, Meli Pitt 3, Carina Johannson 2, Kate Rossiter 1, Maggie Donavan, Chrissy Real, Emily Rais, Kelsey Hanrahan

Spartanz HC vs Hutt Valley Hunters HC 24:29
Spartanz: Chrissy Mulitalo, Faith Hewitson; Rowan Moloughney 8, Daniela Conforte 6, Erin Roxburgh 4, Emily Too 3, Paola Nigris 3, Aine Ceitin, Courtney Jones, Francie Mills, Ita Hennigan
Hunters: Tahndae Wyatt; LA Winitana 10, Tamara Baker 9, Ailish Akavi 5, Aneko Winitana 2, Shrena Faitua-Latu 2, Marie Winitana 1, Brenna 

League Day 3

Sunday is Handball time …

Men Competition

Yesterday the two Vikings men teams were scheduled against each other. While you think that could and should be a clear outcome, Team A wins versus Team B, it wasn’t. The Vikings Norse team (B) was not ready to just give in and so the match was back and forth all along and no team could ever really get further away than 2 goals. At the end the Vikings Danes (A) played more controlled in the last few minutes and managed to get away with the win.

Vikings HC Danes vs Vikings HC Norse 28:26
Danes: James Weston; Luke Ireland 9, Jack Gallagher 6, Daniel Triebsch 5, Harry Ireland 4, Todd Anderson 3, Riley Grice 1, Nicolas Piveteau, Patrick Davy, Joakim Cnattingius
Norse: Thomas Roxburgh (one game loan); Angus Hazelton 5, Liam Madigan 5, Till Niklas-Braun 5, Bjoern Bengelsdorf 4, Paul Ireland 3, Shyam Saiyan 2, David Zillwood 1, Michiel Burger 1

 Vic Uni HC Turtles vs Northern Aguilas HC 27:33
Turtles: Jerome Leveneur; Luke Naylor 6, Brendan Courtney 5, Ben Potaka 4, Seah Feehan 4, Elliott Cheeseman 3, Fabio Soares 3, Locky Brown 2, Tetava Johnson, Jaxson Crouch
Aguilas: Tim Banks; Nicholas Shields 15, Jono Rayner 11, Tim Rayner 3, Aaron Huddleston 1, Tyler Warrington 1, James Palmer 1, Zaz Jarvis 1, William Smith

Vic Uni HC Lions vs Spartanz HC 10:42
Lions: Andrija Djorovic; Josh Love 4, Finn Russell 2, Josh Turnbull 1, Milan Caird 1, Te Kopae Filo 1, Freddy Gard, Matthew Geange, Hayden Rolston, Will Wallis, Patrick Wallis, Kian Foulkes, Joseph Spjikerman
Spartanz: Rhys Mountain, Thomas Roxburgh; Baptiste Bouchereau 6, Scott Balmforth 6, Toby Stephen 6, Tom Zur Brugge 6, Antoine Desnos 4, Loris 4, Nick Potter 3, Tom Tregidga 3, Rocco Wilhelmi 2, George Chrisholm 1, Hayden O’Brien 1,  Sam Grayling, Willy Makea, Fred Han

Women Competition

The Vikings women’s welcomed today Matilda in the team. Also Laura and Hannah, currently injured came to support and both saw a Vikings team being dominant and playing well as a team. At the end, the result was clear in favour for the Vikings despite a turnover rate that was way too high.

Vikings HC vs Spartanz HC 33:22
Vikings: Michael Jensen; Madeleine Hazelton 9, Amelia Krewel 7, Paris Tuimaseve-Fox 7, Bella Anastasiou 6, Matilda Kennet 3, Siri Kolbeinsen 1
Spartanz: Faith Hewitson; Erin Roxburgh 8, Francie Mills 7, Rowan Moloughney 2, Paola Nigris 2, Jordan Thorstensen 1, Emily To 1, Courtney Jones 1, Aine Caitinn, Ita Heneghan, Metiria Doyle, 

Vic Uni HC Ravens vs Hutt Valley HC Hunters 22:28
Ravens: Abbey L’Estrange; Madeleine Stephen 16, Samantha Gard 3, Chrissy Mulitalo 1, Kate Rossiter 1, Meli Pitt 1, Maggie Donovan, Anna Barker, Chrissy Real
Hunters: Tahndae Wyatt; La Wintana 13, Tamara Baker 6, Te Hau Winitana 3, Marie Winitana 3, Shrena Faitua-Latu 2,  Ailish Akavi 1, Aneko Winitana, Kitana Tawera

Winners Are Grinners – NZ U18 boys won the Youth Oceania Champs

Yesterday, the New Zealand Under 18 boys made history and won for the first time the Youth Oceania Championships.
The team, led by Coach Tim Rayner and Coach Jack Gallagher (Vikings), went undefeated in the competition and were very dominant in each game.
In the team were four Vikings players, Paul Ireland, Miguel Aizpuru, Angus Hazelton and Will O’Connor, who all provided crucial for the team on the way to the title.
Congratulations to the team, the coaches and all the supporters who helped in achieving this massive milestone for New Zealand Handball.

At the same time, the Junior Oceania Championship happened at the same venue.
In the junior competition, the New Zealand team played an excellent tournament but fell just outside of the medal ranks and brought home a 4th place. The team was coached by Viking’s Luke Ireland and had five Vikings players in the line-up – Alex Bickers, Riley Grice, Jared Peterson, Cassius Papera-Lewin and PJ Garner.
The team managed to win 2 out of the 5 games with close defeats to the winner (Australia) and 2nd placed team (Tahiti). Well Done boys!


2nd Sunday of the season

Last Sunday was the second game day of the 2018 season.

The games for both Vikings men were postponed due to the majority of players being on tour with the New Zealand National Teams (Youth and Junior) attending the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia.

Though the Vikings women team played and faced the Hutt Valley Hunters.
Last time both teams met was at last years semi-finals which the Vikings won.
On Sunday the outcome was different and the Hunters won.
Unfortunately, due to absence and injury, the Vikings had only 5 players for the game. All 5 players played their heard out and fought all game but playing against a team with 2 players more on the pitch is almost a situation that can’t end with a win.
Vikings HC vs Hutt Valley Hunters HC 15:46
Vikings: Michaela Jensen; Te Mapihi Tutua-Nathan 6, Paris Tuimaseve-Fox 5, Catherine Graham 2, Siri Kolbeinsen 2
Hunters: Tahndae Wyatt; Shrena Faitua-Latu 16, Alish Akavi 10, La Winitana 7, Aneka Winitana 6, Kitana Tawera 4, Marie Winitana 3