Round 2 of the 2016/17 Goalball UK season began with Intermediate tournaments in December.

In Region A, in Newcastle, Scarborough Panthers won again to extend their lead at the top of the table. They are now 7 points ahead of both Lancashire Lions and South Yorkshire who are in joint 2nd place. Rio Vasey (Scarborough Panthers) was the top male goal scorer with 9 goals so has jumped ahead of Ryan Wilcox (Nottinghamshire Sheriffs). Meanwhile, Australian international Meica Horsberg (South Yorkshire), making her debut in the Goalball UK League, scored an incredible 12 goals. Consequently she has overtaken team mate Emma Tammaro as the top female goal scorer.

Region B resumed in Birmingham with RNC Academy taking maximum points, moving them up the table in to 3rd place behind Winchester (2nd) and Fen Tigers (1st). Dan Reeves (Birmingham) scored 13 goals but David Keeling (New College Worcester) scored 8, taking his tally for the season so far to 23, so just enough to maintain his place at the top of the table. Similarly, Jessica Luke (London Elephants) was top female goal scorer on the day with 13 goals but Laura Perry (Fen Tigers) scored 9 so retains her place at the top of the table. 

In January, there were Novice tournaments in York and Worcester.

Lancashire Lions triumphed in Region A so are now top of the table but are only 2 points ahead of West Yorkshire in 2nd place. Danny Clarke (Greater Manchester VI Bees) and Amelia Robertson (Lancashire Lions) were again top male and female goal scorers respectively so are comfortably ahead of Oliver Heath (West Yorkshire) and Chelsea Hudson (Scarborough Panthers) in 2nd place.

In Region B, New College Worcester won again so are now 9 points ahead of 2nd place Croysutt Warriors. Jack Britton (Croysutt Warriors) was only the 3rd highest male goal scorer on the day but, combined with his 13 goals from the previous tournament, has overtaken James Evans (Winchester) at the top of the table. Rehan Noor (Croysutt Warriors) made an impressive debut, top scoring with 11 goals but Ada Eravama (New College Worcester) is at the top of the table closely followed by Reanne Racktoo (RNC Academy) and Aure Aflalo (Cambridge Dons).

The Elite tournament in February was as exciting as ever with only Winchester having a 100% record after their 1st 3 games.  In the semi finals they comfortably beat RNC Academy whilst Cambridge only managed to beat Northern Allstars after extra throws. Having drawn earlier in the weekend, the final was expected to be a close game but surprisingly Cambridge recorded a victory (by the mercy rule) over Winchester so are now in 2nd place in the table, just 2 points behind Northern Allstars. Dan Roper (RNC Academy) is still top male goal scorer but Kali Holder (RNC Academy) has edged ahead of team mate Laura Perry as top female goal scorer.

So, at the end of round 2, Scarborough Panthers and Winchester are now in joint 1st place in the National League with 32 points whilst New College Worcester are just 1 point behind.

Nothing is certain yet – it’s all still to play for in round 3!

Tournaments are as follows:

Saturday 11th March
Intermediate (Region B) – Reading

Saturday 18th March
Intermediate (Region A) – York

Saturday 1st April
Novice (Region A) – Manchester
Novice (Region B) – Reading

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April
Elite – Birmingham

As always, spectators are welcome at any tournament and all the results will be available on the website afterwards.