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Goalball team signs off in style

12/ 5/2005

AFTER a rather disappointing show in the British Goalball Cup last month, Rochdale Goalball Club finished their season in style last Saturday.

They competed in the BBS/Leeds Experienced Tournament.

The first team of Michael Howarth, Amjad Khan and Emma Jones had a superb day despite the shock of a 2-10 wake-up call from Leeds A in their first game.

Their second game against Leeds C was the start of the turn-round in fortune. Rochdale ran out 8-5 winners.

In their next two games, against the top two teams in the country, Rochdale were outstanding.

A ding-dong battle against top-ranked London Sports resulted in a well-deserved 5-5 draw.

The next game was against bitter rivals West Midlands. Following a titanic struggle Michael Howarth rammed home the deciding goal for Rochdale who ran out 6-5 winners and finished the event in joint fourth place.

Rochdale's second team was less successful.

Despite being two players short they battled well and there were some spirited individual performances, but they were unable to record a win.

The team of Martin Howarth, Paul Jackson, Sarah Kelly and Maria Carr finished joint sixth. The tournament winners were North London who narrowly overcame Leeds A 5-2 in the final game of the day.

Tournament top scorer was Rochdale's Michael Howarth with 19 goals. The player of the day award for Rochdale went to Paul Jackson for his effort and commitment.