Wolves’ historic “double”

WARRINGTON Wolves men’s handball team have pulled off an historic “double” by winning both the Super 8 League title and the England Handball Association Cup,
The young Wolves’ team – average age just over 21 – became the first ever to win both titles when they defeated arch-rivals London GB in the cup final.
It was a thrilling final. Wolves were leading 28-21 with 11 minutes to go.
But GD fought back and with four minutes to go, the lead had been reduced to two.
Another GD goal cut the lead to a single goal and the Wolves, who had used only nine players during the entire game, were beginning to tire and the momentum was with GD.  A single goal would take the game into extra time.
With 21 seconds remaining the GD right winger sent in the shot that would level the scores – but shot wide.
The crowd and the Wolves’ bench leapt to their feet. They had clung on, and the celebrations began as the hooter marked the end of an epic struggle that was a fine advert for the game.
Wolves’ coach Bill Baillie said in looking for where the game was won, there were many candidates.
Alex Bradley and in particular Luca Lehmann had made many fine saves, the giant defensive pair Samir Tahraoui and Chris McDermott made 13 blocks in the first half alone, and there was fine and incisive play from Jake Williams, Liam Welsby, Harrington and Ste Clarke.
But the Man of the Match crown had to be shared between Rafik Tahraoui, for fine aggressive and mobile defence, backed up with high scoring shooting from both nine and six meters, and Chris Woltering playing in his final game for Wolves, both for the goals he scored, and the aggression shown in attack which stemmed the tide of the GD counter attack in both the first and second halves.