Thames Handball Club lost the National Cup Final 31:21 to London GD at Crystal Palace on Saturday as their quest for silverware fell at the final hurdle.
The Twickenham-based club made their debut in the competition this year and had an impressive run to the final, beating last year’s winners Ruislip Eagles 25:20 and England league champions Olympia 21:20.
But London GD, who finished second in Women’s South League One, one place ahead of Thames, proved a step too far.
With several players missing, including German international Ulrike Stange as she prepares to wed Arsenal footballer Per Mertesacker, Thames only had eight players in their squad to London’s 16.
They were also going to be up against it but they did take a 6:2 lead and were level 13:13 at half-time. But London made their superior numbers count to deservedly win. Emilie Enger Aas was Thames' top scorer with eight.
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