Abia Valliants recorded their first win of the second phase of the Prudent Energy Handball League holding at Rowe Park, Yaba on Thursday afternoon. They defeated bottom placed Desert Queens 27-19 to get their first win.
Also in the women’s league Owena Queens lost to experienced Imo Grasshoppers 36-17 while Kada Queens drew with Seasiders babes 24-24.
League leaders, Plateau Peacocks were held to a 21-21 draw by a resolute Edo Dynamos side; while it went down to the wire between Safety Babes and Defender Babes. In the end, Safety pulled through with a hard fought 44-37 victory.
The men’s league saw COAS Shooters who previously have drawn five of their Prudent Energy Handball League matches winning just one and losing twice, defeat bottom placed Prison Key Boys 29-28 in a closely contested match.
In other results, second placed Safety Shooters sustained the pressure at the top of the league with a 28-22 win over Bornu Spiders. In the same vein league leaders, Niger United did not falter as they maintained their lead on the log with a 30-29 victory over Plateau Vipers in a very tough match.
Kada Stars in fourth position had to dig deep against Sokoto Rima before grinding out a 36-25 victory over the Caliphate team while Owena Kings of Ondo scored a last minute goal to secure victory over Kano Pillars 27-26.
Lagos Seasiders who are level on point with second placed Safety Shooters comfortably defeated De Defenders 37-29 to the delight of their home fans.
The Most Valuable players of the day were Chidinma Anosike of Imo Grasshoppers and Naziru Ibrahim of Plateau Vipers. They each got =N=10,000 and a plaque for their contribution to their teams.