Ipswich Handball Men’s team, coached by Olympian Louise Jukes, took on Brentwood HC at Suffolk One in a return East Development League game this week.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich's Marcey Wicks shoots against BrentwoodIpswich's Marcey Wicks shoots against Brentwood (Image: Archant)

The first 20 minutes saw both teams holding each other to level scoring, but as the game progressed the more experienced Brentwood eased ahead.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich's Jack Bishop takes to the air against BrentwoodIpswich's Jack Bishop takes to the air against Brentwood (Image: Archant)

Although Ipswich fell to a 39-26 defeat, they showed huge improvement from their previous clash with Brentwood.

Afterwards a pleased Jukes, who played for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics, said: “For a club that has been in existence less than a year, this is enormous progress.”

Suffolk One hosts the under 16 County trials for boys on Sunday 2 February, while the women’s team travel to London on 8 February to take on Southampton and Bath in a double header.

Anyone interested in playing handball, Ipswich Handball Club train at Suffolk One every Wednesday, juniors (under 16) between 6.15 and 7.15pm and seniors from 7.15pm until 9.15pm.