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Harris Bulldogs handball team has only been formed a few weeks but is already making quite an impression on the academy - and on the opposition.

Well over 100 spectators, including Lord Harris of Peckham, watched their first ever home match today, winning a hard-fought match against Prendergast Ladywell Fields College 11-7.

Handball, an Olympic sport, is a fast-moving, tactical game, lasting 40 minutes, in which teams try and throw the ball into the opposition net to score a goal.

Lord Harris, who was visting the academy, made an appearance on the pitch during the warm-up, testing out the defence and goalkeeper with some shots. He then stayed to watch the match, commenting: 'It's a very fast moving, skilful game. When I was at school I only had the chance to play cricket, tennis and football, but if handball had been around I would definitely have played it.'

The new handball team is coached by PC Marcus Kudliskis, Safer Schools Police Officer. Watch out for more match reports when the team competes in the nationals this Spring.

Match report

PC Marcus Kudliski gives his full match report...

Prendergast were by far the most challenging team the bulldogs had faced so far, with a firm defence and a lightening attack which put the bulldogs through their paces for sure.

The bulldogs went into a quick 2-0 lead but, by the second quarter, Prendergast sustained constant pressure firing in goals with the Bulldogs now trailing 4-2.

With three minutes of the 2nd quarter left, Danette with her slick skills and pace scored two goals, bringing the score level to 4-4 at half time.

After a rampant half time team talk, the bulldogs attempted to take control of the game with an attacking approach. Unfortunately Prendergast overturned the ball on a couple of occasions, with needless passing errors, who again took a 2 goal lead.

Sharifa then gave away a penalty for impeding a player and her dissent, which followed, which could be argued as being passionate, means that she'll now serve a one match suspension. The penalty was expertly saved by Leanna who tipped the ball onto the post running out of play.

The bulldogs dug deep and in the last quarter put in a fine display and ended up winning the 11-7.

This was a fierce 'contact' fixture. The girls were extremely focused through out and worked extremely hard as a team to ensure their winning run continues.

Women of the match goes jointly to Mair HOWELLS STANTON and Gloria BLAGOVA who both played the majority of the game in defence (more minutes on the pitch than any other outfield player). Mair, using her height to an advantage 'mopping up' the attacks through the middle of the pitch and Gloria who constantly tracked Predergast's No. 5 danger women for the entire game.

A HUGE thank-you must be given to Eddie Wilcox who has come on board to coach the team. Eddie Wilcox's appearance at tonight's fixture along with the previous, has shone through the team with the girls totally respecting and listening to his judgement (At the team's request, Eddie has now been recruited as a permanent coach!!)