Hawks Defense Sets the Tone

West Yorkshire Hawks delivered a commanding performance at the Hawks Nest, dismantling Sheffield Elite 103-57 in a game that was decided early. From the opening tip, the Hawks set the tone with relentless defensive pressure, holding Elite to just six first-quarter points while pouring in 22 of their own. That defensive stranglehold continued into the second, and by halftime, the Hawks had blown the game wide open with a 51-15 advantage.

Credit to Sheffield Elite for battling after the break, finding more offensive rhythm in the third quarter, but the Hawks’ firepower remained unchecked. Even as Elite put up 17 points, the gap only widened, with the Hawks extending their lead to 35 heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was more balanced, but the Hawks still found another offensive gear, dropping a game-high 31 points to seal a dominant 56-point victory.

Dave Walsh led the scoring with 27 points, followed by Charles Andrews with 22, Joshua Griffith with 14, and Harrison Wildie with 12.

Hawks Head Coach Danny Byrne praised his squad’s intensity from the start, saying: “It was a full forty-minute performance, but the area I’m most pleased with is the energy and intensity we started the game with. We applied defensive pressure as a team from the opening tip, and that set the tone early.”

With a weekend off ahead, the Hawks will return to action at the Hawks Nest on Saturday, 15th March, for their final home game of the regular season against Cheshire Wire.