AROUND 150 youngsters took part in the 13th National Mini Handball Festival at Haslingden Sports Centre, Lancashire, last weekend. With 16 teams competing the tournament took place on two indoor courts and two outside, and there was some great handballing action on show. After the group stages the top eight teams went forward to compete for the BJ Rowland Shield, while the remainder took part in a plate competition. The battle for the BJ Rowland Shield was hotly contested, but after gruelling group stages and knockouts St Columba RC Primary School from Bolton emerged victorious after beating rivals Crawshawbooth Primary 5-3.
