By Amaechi Agbo

Defending Champions, Kano Pillars and Safety Babes laboured on Monday to retain their unbeaten record in the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League Phase 2.

Male champions Kano Pillars produced a laboured win to remain top on the table on day 2 of the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League season 5 phase 2 at the University of Lagos Sports Center, Lagos.

Pillars defeated a difficult Rima Strikers side 22-20 to maintain their leadership if the male category and keep their unbeaten run intact

In other matches of the men category, Niger United got an easy 36-27 victory over Benue Buffaloes while Safety Shooters defeated Seasider Boys of Lagos 30-22.

Confluence Stars had no respect for the Akure kings as they downed Owena Kings 23-19 while De Defenders did not fear the Police weapons as they humbled Police Machine 28-16.

In the last match of the day, Tojemarine Academy of Lagos walked over Kada Stars of Kaduna State.

In the Women Category, defending champions Safety Babes didn’t find it it easy as they beat Plateau Peacocks 23-21 to maintain their unblemish record in the league while Seasider Babes of Lagos continued their new found form with 20-17 victor over Rima Queens of Sokoto State

Bendel Dynamos of Edo State defeated Imo Grasshoppers 24-21 while Defender Babes walked over Adorable Angels of Kwara State. Benue Queens as well walked over Kada Queens.

The most valuable players for the male and female categories respectively are goalkeeper Sadiq Shelle of Rima Strikers and Daina Saloo of Safety Babes.

Results

Male Category

1) Owena Kings 19-23 Confluence Stars
2) Niger United 36-27 Benue Buffaloes
3) Lagos Seasiders 22-30 Safety Shooters
4) Rima Strikers 20-22 Kano Pillars
5) D:Defenders 28-16 Police Machine
6) Tojemarine Academy 10-0 Kada Stars (W/O)

Female Category

1) Safety Babes 23-21 Plateau Peacocks
2) Seasider Babes 20-17 Rima Queens
3) Bendel Dynamos 24-21 Imo Grasshoppers
4) Defender Babes 10-0 Kwara Adorable Angels (W/O).
5) Benue Queens 10-0 Kada Queens (W/O).

Kano Pillars are leading the male category with 39 pointes from 13 matches, closely followed by Safety Shooters with 37 points while Niger United are 3rd with 35 points

In the female category, Safety Babes are dictating the pace with 33 points from 11 matches. They are however keeping a closer watch behind them as Defender Babes are close on their heels in second position with 29 points while 3rd placed Rima Queens have 28 points.

Actions continue today in matchday 3 with six matches lined up in male category while female category will see 5 games also decided.