Ed and shoulders above the rest

TOP SCORER . . . Ed Page attacks the goal

ED Page was flying high as he inspired North East Manchester Hawks to complete a National Handball League double over London Great Dane at Oldham Leisure Centre.

Page scored 14 times and was also impressive in his assists and defence as Hawks won 37-30.

The home side started at a fast pace London Great Dane struggled to match and led by seven at one stage in the first half before the more experienced visitors slowed down the game and clipped it back to 17-16 at the break.

But with Page seemingly scoring at will and other players chipping in with scores, the Hawks built their lead back up -helped by some impressive saves from both James Jarred and Daniel Araujg and the indiscipline of the visitors who received a total of eight two-minute sin bins and two sendings off.

Coach Donna Hankinson was pleased to see her young team respond to losing the previous weekend at London Olympia.

"We bounced back. Ed was just fantastic and he has been one of our most consistent performers all season," she said.

"It was good to see our wingers Jamal Braithwaite and Harry Morley scoring again after the disappointment of Olympia and we will look to kick on from here to keep the pressure on leaders Warrington Wolves. You never know"

Wolves took a weakened side to Cambridge at the weekend and relieved coach Bill Baillie saw his team edge a one-point win to stay top.

Hawks must now prepare for a double weekend as they meet Brighton in the second round of the National Cup on Saturday at Oldham Leisure Centre (3pm) and then take on Ruislip 24 hours later in a Super 8 league clash at the Trafford Soccerdome where the two clubs also face each other in the U18's Cup and the women's Super 7.

Hawks' scorers: Ed Page (14), Ryan Goodwin (7), Jamal Braithwaite (6) Harry Morley (4), Jonnie Haworth and James Higgins (3 each).

The Hawks' women's team are still seeking their first win of the season as they lost 28-24 at home to London Great Dane. Hawks' scorers: Holly Lam-Moores (6) Alhalia Ibanga, Emily Maddison and Harriet Richards (4 each), Ruth Anderson and Caitlin Matthews (2 each) Eliza Morgan and Ellie Whitehead (1 each).