For the first time in its history, the University of Lincoln Handball team has been crowned Shield National Champions after overcoming Portsmouth University.
After defeating the University of Chichester 19-4, the Swans then faced and beat the University of Birmingham’s second team 19-3, Herriot Watt University (Scotland) 12-3 and the University of Warwick 14-7 on their way to the top of Group 2.
In the final, the Lincoln players faced Portsmouth University, the other undefeated team in the Shield competition, and came out on top 13-3.
Team President Jordan Haystead stated: “It is such an achievement for the team, something that is one of the greatest accomplishments in the club’s history”.
Harry Margarson, the team coach said he expected a good performance from the group: “I expected us to do well. We had an excellent starting team and a reliable backup. I did not expect us to be as good as we were but thought we would do well in our championship and so much so we ended up winning! But I did not think we would dominate teams as much as we did”, later adding “I’m so proud of the team and that we have only been playing together for 5/6 months with several nationalities represented. It was great to see the hard work come off and for many, this will have been the highlight of their university experience.”