Tryst ‘77 win Scottish handball league

The success came with two games remaining of the league season and Tryst undefeated, and saw the Cumbernauld side hold on to the trophy they won last season.

As was the case in previous recent seasons, Glasgow and Edinburgh provided a strong challenge throughout the campaign and pushed Tryst hard as they attempted to follow up last years battling success.

And it was only in the last few weeks of the league season, with a couple of games remaining, that the title was secured.

Season 2013-2014 was a challenge throughout and Tryst had to show some resilience to get themselves over the line. For different reasons the team lost a few of the squad from last season and resources were stretched.

In addition Glasgow and Edinburgh had strengthened and Dundee continued the steady and marked improvement they have made year on year. Indeed the Tayside club deserve much credit for the way they have developed their set up, introduced junior coaching sessions have worked hard at not just building a team but a club, and have worked hard with the local authority and partner organisations to try and establish handball as a key sport in the area.

The fast emerging young Ayr team built on their impressive performances from last year and played a fast and exciting brand of handball, taking some notable scalps along the way. They have a really talented group of young players.

As do Livingston Handball Club who were new to the league but are excellently coached by GB U-18 coach Allan Stokes and also managed a few results that made other teams take notice.

East Kilbride played well in a somewhat transitional season for them however they should start to see the fruits of their youth development next season with one or two younger players ready to step in to the first team.

Aberdeen found things a bit of a struggle but will hopefully look to re-group for next season with new recruits supplementing the existing squad.

All of which meant Tryst had to dig deep and be as well prepared as they could be when facing each of these respective challenges.

The three teenagers in the squad – Daniel Russell, Greg McFarlane and Mitchell Freeburn – really came to the fore this season and played a big part in Tryst’s success.

There were plenty of thrilling and closely contested games throughout the season and Tryst were delighted to prevail at the end of the campaign.

With the league season over, Tryst now look towards the Scottish Cup with a quarter final tie in the coming weeks.

There is still also the Liverpool International Tournament to come and many of the clubs’ youth and junior players will head for Partille Cup in Sweden over the summer.

The club also have a number of players currently involved in GB age groupsquads that are preparing for international competitions this summer so still plenty to keep the club occupied before the season