Korfballers upbeat despite second place

HIGHBURY Korfball Club’s hopes of gaining promotion to the National Division One were dashed on Sunday after losing to rivals, the West London Wildcats.
Highbury needed four straight wins, including two against the Wildcats, in their remaining fixtures for a chance of topping the London Premier Division.
But despite putting on a spirited display, the side went down 23-11 at a neutral venue in Tooting in what was called the season’s most exciting match so far.
Club manager Sam Larkham said: “That was one of the best games I’ve played in. We were really up for it because we knew that we did not have much to lose. The odds were in the Wildcats’ favour and, to be honest, we had already given up hopes of promotion.
“The game was extremely competitive, full of testosterone and played at a very high level. The Wildcats’ coach, Steve Barker, a Korfballing guru, told us after the game how nice it was to finally face proper opponents. It was a great compliment for Highbury KC.”
Korfball is a mixed-gender, non-contact team sport similar to basketball and netball.
Islington’s only Korfball team are now ten points behind the Wildcats, and despite two games in hand, there is no hope of catching up.
The Wildcats will take on another regional team in a play-off for the chance to play in the National Division One next year.
Finishing second in their league just one year after being promoted to the London First Division shows significant progress for Highbury KC and Larkham is now confident that the team, which boasts several international players, will build be able to follow in the Wildcats’ footsteps.
He said: “Our object next season will be to win the league and gain promotion. This is very realistic given our performances in relation to the other teams in our league this year. Korfball has exploded here and it bodes well for the future.”