Hawks Hold Nerve to Sink Vikings
The West Yorkshire Hawks Men’s team tipped off their National League campaign in dramatic style on Sunday , edging past a determined Tameside Vikings side 84–82 in a high-intensity clash in Copley.
After finishing second and third respectively last season, these two teams picked up right where they left off — delivering another nail-biting encounter filled with momentum swings, clutch moments, and no shortage of quality basketball.
The Hawks came out firing in the first quarter, settling into their offensive rhythm quickly and converting with confidence. That early accuracy saw them take a 22–17 lead into the first break.
But the Vikings, as always, proved a tough opponent. They found their range from beyond the arc in the second quarter and chipped away at the Hawks’ lead, closing the gap to just four points by halftime.
The back-and-forth battle continued through a high-scoring third quarter, with both teams trading buckets and neither side giving an inch. At the end of three, it was Hawks holding a narrow 67–65 advantage.
As the fourth quarter tightened up, so did the defence. Every possession counted, and it was the Hawks who kept their composure when it mattered most. With the game in the balance, a couple of clutch plays at both ends secured the hard-fought win.
New recruit Joe Heyes led the scoring charge in his club debut, pouring in 21 points and making a big impact across the floor. He was supported by Rob Donaldson with 12 points, Dave Walsh and Dan Pilkington both chipped in 11 and Wisdon Otokhagua posted 10 points on his debut.
Head Coach Danny Byrne praised the resilience of his side, saying: “We always knew it was going to be a tough game today against an experienced Vikings team. We played well in patches but we have to build consistency in our games if we are to achieve the goals we have set ourselves this season.”
The win gives the Hawks a strong platform to build on, with plenty of lessons to take forward.
Next up: a West Yorkshire derby in the second round of the National Cup as the Hawks head to Bradford College to take on Yorkshire Dragons. Tip-off is set for 6:30pm this Sunday (5th)
Hawks Hold Nerve to Sink Vikings
The West Yorkshire Hawks Men’s team tipped off their National League campaign in dramatic style on Sunday , edging past a determined Tameside Vikings side 84–82 in a high-intensity clash in Copley.
After finishing second and third respectively last season, these two teams picked up right where they left off — delivering another nail-biting encounter filled with momentum swings, clutch moments, and no shortage of quality basketball.
The Hawks came out firing in the first quarter, settling into their offensive rhythm quickly and converting with confidence. That early accuracy saw them take a 22–17 lead into the first break.
But the Vikings, as always, proved a tough opponent. They found their range from beyond the arc in the second quarter and chipped away at the Hawks’ lead, closing the gap to just four points by halftime.
The back-and-forth battle continued through a high-scoring third quarter, with both teams trading buckets and neither side giving an inch. At the end of three, it was Hawks holding a narrow 67–65 advantage.
As the fourth quarter tightened up, so did the defence. Every possession counted, and it was the Hawks who kept their composure when it mattered most. With the game in the balance, a couple of clutch plays at both ends secured the hard-fought win.
New recruit Joe Heyes led the scoring charge in his club debut, pouring in 21 points and making a big impact across the floor. He was supported by Rob Donaldson with 12 points, Dave Walsh and Dan Pilkington both chipped in 11 and Wisdon Otokhagua posted 10 points on his debut.
Head Coach Danny Byrne praised the resilience of his side, saying: “We always knew it was going to be a tough game today against an experienced Vikings team. We played well in patches but we have to build consistency in our games if we are to achieve the goals we have set ourselves this season.”
The win gives the Hawks a strong platform to build on, with plenty of lessons to take forward.
Next up: a West Yorkshire derby in the second round of the National Cup as the Hawks head to Bradford College to take on Yorkshire Dragons. Tip-off is set for 6:30pm this Sunday (5th)