Handball: Knockout final |21 September 2020

It was an interesting game between Durantha Brothers and Super 8

Durantha Brothers, Au Cap Sisters triumph

Durantha Brothers and Au Cap Sisters triumphed in the Knockout competition finals that were played at the Palais des Sports on Saturday afternoon in the first competition in this sport since the Covid-19 break.

Au Cap Sisters see off Mont Fleuri Storm controversially

This match was a very tight affair but was marred by poor record keeping by the table officials which cost Mont Fleuri Storm this title as they had two points chalked off when they were in a strong position to win this final against their greatest rivals.

Claire Marguerite opened the scoring in this match for the league champions but Chrystal Sedgwick replied immediately for Au Cap Sisters to make it 1-1.

Natalie Saminadin then made it 2-1 for the Mont Fleuri team though Melina Crispin leveled matters as this game continued to be very tight as both teams matched each other on a very slippery court which affected the players’ performance.

Au Cap Sisters went in at half-time with a one-goal lead (7-6) as Chrystal Sedgwick scored her third goal after Claire Marguerite had seen her penalty saved by goalkeeper Sheila Marie.

Au Cap Sisters stretched their advantage to 8-6 at the resumption of the second half but Urma Amblavaney reduced the arrears to 7-8 and Francel Marie equalised at 8-8 before Mont Fleuri Storm turned this match with goals from Claire Marguerite and four from Natalie Saminadin to lead at 13-11. But when Alanah Henry scored for Au Cap Sisters, the scoreboard read 13-13 all which was very surprising and despite the protest by the Mont Fleuri team, the table officials did not want to admit the gross error and this proved decisive as the team of coach Dave Bonnelame went on to win this match with goals from Stephanie Anderson and Telma Sauzier for a 19-16 final score.

The victory was welcomed by the South Mahé team’s coach Bonnelame who told Sports NATION that he was pleased with this win.

“It was an intense match which was closely fought but it was nice to win and we hope there will be more competitions this season to keep the players motivated,” the Au Cap Sisters coach said.

As for Mont Fleuri Storm coach Danny Philoe whose team won the season-opening Challenge Cup, he was generally satisfied with his team’s showing though he was disappointed with the table officials.
“I felt the mistake by the table officials affected my players as we were in a strong position to win but I don’t want to dwell on this matter as generally it felt good to be back playing and our performance was quite encouraging,” coach Philoe told Sports NATION.

Durantha Brothers overcome Super 8

Durantha Brothers defeated defending league champions Super 8 25-18 to claim the men’s Knockout tournament in a convincing victory in the final.

Durantha Brothers captain Kieren Jean led his team into a good start as he scored three goals in the first half for them to lead 12-9 at half-time.

Super 8 tried to respond in the second period but Durantha Brothers goalkeeper Kenny Joseph made at least eight great stops in one-on-one situations to help his team win this final 25-18 with further goals from Kieren Dufresne and Aaron Dodin, sealing the victory for the players of assistant coach Alex Monthy who was deputising in the absence of head coach Freddy Annette who was absent on Saturday.

“We played well though we had a few difficulties at times in this match which we managed to deal with though I’m happy we held on to claim this title,” coach Monthy related to Sports NATION.

For his part, coach Danny Philoe who suffered double disappointment as his two teams both lost on Saturday, said that their poor showing in scoring proved their downfall in this match.

“We created many chances but failed to score and this cost us this match but we had a good game and we will surely bounce back,” coach Philoe explained to Sports NATION.

In the plate finals contested by the losing semifinalists, Anse Royale Sisters defeated Pearl United 14-7 (women) and AC Brothers thrashed Silver Stars 21-12 (men).

The cups and medals for this tournament which was held over two weekends were presented by Seychelles Handball Federation chairman Norbert Dogley.

R. J-L.