Defending champion, Kano Pillars continued their woeful form this season as they, not too shockingly, lost to Rima Strikers of Sokoto on day 1 of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 phase 2 in Lagos.
The Coach Solomon Yola tutored side were hoping to start the second phase of the league on a new slate in male after a disappointing first phase in Benin City, Edo State but they were clearly the second best as they lost to Rima Strikers 27-23.
Other matches in the male category saw Confluence Stars defeat Defenders 24-18 while Niger United extended their lead on the league table as they earned a routine 30-22 win over Correction Boys.
Lagos Seasiders Boys, spurred by their teeming fans at the Rowe Park Sports Center, defeated Benue Buffaloes 31-24 while another Lagos team, Tojemarine Academy led by captain Ebinatei victoriously defeated former champion Safety Shooters 28-25 at the NIS Indoor Sports Hall.
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Bendel Dynamos continue to languish at the bottom of the league table as they lost to Police Machine 25-23.
In the female category, defending champion and league leader Safety Babes are still unbeaten as they somehow earned a last gap 27-26 victory over arch-rival Defender Babes while Rima Queens defeated Bayelsa Queens 30-21.
Benue Queens defeated Delta Queens 19-18 while Seasider Babes of Lagos defeated Bendel Dynamos 25-24.
Former Champion Plateau Peacocks and Imo Grasshoppers played out an interesting 22-22 draw match with Plateau Peacocks scoring almost half of their goals from the seven metres penalty through star player Winner Johnson.
Earlier, there was a minute silence to honor the late Kareem Danlami, a referee and ace journalist, Ignatius Ajuonuma just before the Safety Shooters versus Tojemarine Academy game.
Day 1 Results
Male Category
1) D:DEFENDERS–CONFLUENCE STARS 18–24.
2) NIGER UNITED–CORRECTION BOYS 30–22.
3) KANO PILLARS–RIMA STRIKERS 23–27.
4) Lagos Seasiders — Benue Buffaloes 31–24.
5) Bendel Dynamos–Police Machine 23–25.
6) Tojemarine Academy–Safety Shooters 28–25.
Female Category
1) RIMA QUEENS-BAYELSA QUEENS 30–21.
2) DELTA QUEENS-BENUE QUEENS 18–19.
3) SEASIDER BABES-BENDEL DYNAMOS 25–24.
4) Defender Babes-Safety Babes 26–27.
2) Plateau Peacocks-Imo Grasshoppers 22–22.
