The ACT boys have put in another strong performance in the final game of the series but fell short of a victory against NSW, going down 21:14, this morning in Coffs Harbour.

ACT was in the game for most of the first half, going goal-for-goal with NSW after Dilpreet Singh opened the scoring for the game. ACT then, as it had in previous games, suffered a lapse in concentration letting in 5 consecutive goals just before the break, to end the half at 7:11.

The NSW girls defeated Queensland 18:5 (9:2 at the break) to cap of a busy day of handball and an undefeated day for NSW teams.
The premier handball state had no trouble overcoming a less experience Queensland team, holding them to only 2 goals at the break.

NSW centre Laura Ridley was best on the court, top scoring again with 7 goals.

The teams will now get together for the customary Championship dinner and socialising.

ACT girls have secured a spot in tomorrow’s National Championships final with a convincing 23:12 victory over Queensland in Coffs Harbour, this afternoon.

ACT had already beaten Queensland earlier today, 14:12 but needed to win this game to make the final against NSW, who is undefeated so far.
Again, the scores were tied for a long time, and Queensland lead 6:5 at one stage but a change in defence started to pay-off for ACT almost immediately.

Successive saves by goalkeeper Ellen Kromar, set the scene for her team-mates to go on a 9:1 scoring spree.

ACT girls team went down to NSW, 11:15 (6:6 at the break) in their second game of the tournament.

The teams traded goals for most of the first half, and continued well into the second half, but with less than ten minutes left in play, NSW scored 4 unanswered goals to take a commanding lead. The game finished off as it started, goal for goal, but not enough for ACT to narrow the four-goal margin.

Mariel Soulard and Holly Tupper top-scored for ACT with 5 and 4 goals respectively, whilst Laura Ridley scored 5 for NSW.
NSW now leads the table with two wins, followed by ACT with one win.

ACT’s boys went down (9:22) to NSW in the first out of five scheduled matches between the teams, this morning.

ACT rallied well in the first ten minutes, trailing by 6:4, after Harjodh Singh and Luke Behrendorff combined to score successive goals.

However, a strong start to the second half by NSW, caught ACT by surprise and trailing by ten, early in the second half, after letting in five unanswered goals.

From then on, NSW maintained the pressure, making the less experienced ACT side work hard for their goals.

With only 24 hours to the start of the Nationals, Queensland has pulled their boys team out of the National Championships.

No official reason has been provided yet but this leaves NSW and ACT to contest the title. The winner will be decided in best of 5 matches.

ACTHA is proud to announce their first ever u16 teams, competing at the 2009 National Championships, this weekend in Coffs Harbour. The athletes have been selected from a number of schools in the region.

Included in the boys’ team is the talented left-wing Kerry Olesen and goalkeeper Brody O’Brien, who have both made appearances with Canberra's senior team in the NSW League, this season.

In the girls team, the exciting player to watch will be Mariel Soulard. Mariel started her first handball steps in France and will lead the team as the most experienced player.