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PC Marcus Kudliskis, Safer Schools Police Officer, reports on the HGAED Handball team, which has won The Inter Borough Cup in their first ever competitive tournament.

Yesterday the HGAED Handball team (aka 'Harris Bulldogs') played their first competitive tournament - The Inter Borough Cup at Newham Leisure Centre.

This was the Harris Bulldogs first competitive fixture(s) let alone a tournament , with the team only coming together since October half term.

This sport is not part of the curriculum, which means the team have only had a handful of after school training sessions (six in total) along with an intensive 'sharpening skills' training session on Sunday 4 December.

Pre-match nerves took hold of the girls on arrival (on sight of the opposing teams, some of whom were two years older as it was a KS4 tournament, with the majority of our students being year 8 & 9) but Ms Robson's calming and re-assuring words put those nerves to one side!

In our 'league' was Bexleyheath Academy and Cumberland School.

The first match was against Bexleyheath Academy. After a very quick start, Harris Bulldogs took a 3-0 into half time (with two goals from Enya Lopez and one from Danette Hudson). In the 2nd half, Bexleyheath struck back with two quick goals, providing a very tight finale where Danette scored in the final minute of play providing a deserved 4-2 victory.

Next up was Cumberland School. After sharpening up on tactics, Harris Bulldogs dominated possession from the start, with Tamika Harlow's dominant figure and vision in the middle of the field along with a shining performance from Enya Lopez who scored three goals in two minutes and a solo effort from Danette Hudson.

Harris bulldogs took a deserved 4-1 lead into half time. At half time, a string of changes were made, with Enya Lopez and Danette Hudson both scoring a goal each. Final score 6 -1.

Harris Bulldogs won their league and played 2nd place Bexleyheath Academy.

Again a string of changes were made, with Leanna Flavien, who had a stunning performance in goal, now playing in an attacking possession, replacing Danette Hudson with Katayatu Awosile in goal. The wing players of Enya and Ruby J were also rested, having worked their socks off in the previous two games.

The Harris Bulldogs got of to a shaky start, with an unfortunate shot that came off the post hit Kafayatu's legs and ran across the goal line!! The Harris Bulldogs then took the initiative with Leanna having many a blocked/saved shot at goal. Mayte Parada pulled a goal back for the Harris Bulldogs and Enya Lopez coming on as a late 2nd half substitute scored another. Final score 2-1.

 As a reward for the teams performance, Ari Bekker, London & South East Handball Development Officer, has kindly invited the girls to train with the women's GB team at Crystal Palace arena in January 2012.

Next fixtures: Bexleyheath Academy and Prendergast in the New Year, followed by a KS3 Inter Borough Tournament on 28th February and then then National's qualification stage in March!!

A huge thanks goes out to Ms Mehmet (my training partner on Tuesdays!) and to Ms Robson who gave up her evening to accompany the students to East London ;-)

Women of the Tournament goes to Enya Lopez, with Leanna, Tameka H and Danette having a stunning game too. Please congratulate the below girls aka Harris Bulldogs, who can now proudly call themselves the Inter-Borough Champions:

Leanna FLAVIEN
Kafayatu AWOSILE
Chloe WATSON
Tameka BURKE-LONG
Sarifah KAYIMA
Bille WALER
Mayte PARADA
Enya LOPEZ
Ruby J CAMPBELL
Tamika HARLOW
Danette HUDSON
Miar STANTON-HOWELLS