By Amaechi Agbo

Defending champions, Kano Pillars on Wednesday ended Safety Shooters of Abuja unblemish record in the ongoing 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League season in Abuja.

The highly intensed match lived up to its pre-match postulations as both teams held themselves on the jugular

Played at the Indoor Sports Hall Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, Kano Pillars underlined their poise and tenacity to defend their crown with a 13-12 half time scoreline.

Safety Shooters, who had some key players missing in the match due to injury saw their chances of bridging the gap dwilldled as the time ticked away. The encounter ended 23-28 in favour of the Kano State owned club.

Shooters, 2020 champions, came into the encounter with 9-match undefeated record held also by their Wednesday opponents.

However, they saw their long run of 100% record in the league after 9 matches came to a halt against a team that have now recorded 10 wins out of 10 matches in the league.

The match which got pundits talking and handball followers making predictions, was contested with intense and purpose with the two opposing coaches of Solomon Yola of Kano Pillars and Innocent Nwankwo of Safety Shooters on standing throughout the match.

The match, undoubtedly, had the highest number of fans reactions/comments as well as viewers on the Handball Federation of Nigeria, HFN TV.

In other matches filed in at the time of this report, the female League saw Defender Babes record 36-23 victory over Bendel Dynamos.

In the second match of the day, Plateau Peacocks walked over Kada Queens of Kaduna while Safety Babes and Seasiders Babes won their matches against 33-30 and 26-23 against Rima Queens of Sokoto and Benue Queens, respectively.

In the male category, the day’s matches were signposted by a walk over by D-Defenders of Abuja against Kada Stars of Kaduna state.

The second match of the day saw title contenders and former champions, Niger United beat Police Machine 36-20 while Safety Shooters succumbed to Kano Pillars’ feracious attack in a 23-28 scoreline.

The last match in the morning session was between Rima Strikers of Sokoto and Confluence Stars of Kogi with the former the victors with 33 goals to 29.

The frost phase of the league will be wrapped up on Thursday, June 2, 20222 with the second Phase to hold in Lagos in October.

Full Results of matches played so far in matchday 10 of the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League first phase:

Female Category

1) Defender Babes 36-22 Bendel Dynamos
2) Plateau Peacocks 10-00 Kada Queens (W/0).
3) Rima Queens 30-33 Safety Babes
4) Seasider Babes 26-23 Benue Queens

Male Category

1) D:Defenders 10-00 Kada Stars (W/O).
2) Niger United 36-20 Police Machine
3) Safety Shooters 23-28 Kano Pillars
4) Rima Strikers 33-29 Confluence Stars