The West Yorkshire Hawks men showed championship character on the road this weekend, battling to a huge 89-94 victory over Nottingham Hoods to remain firmly in the hunt for silverware this season.

In a game packed with momentum swings, high-octane scoring and late-game drama, the Neon and Navy delivered when it mattered most by digging deep to secure an important five-point win away from the Hawks Nest.

Nottingham Hoods came out firing, setting the early tempo and testing the Hawks’ defensive discipline. But the Hawks responded in style. Building offensive rhythm possession by possession, they began to find their flow in transition and from the perimeter. By the end of the opening period, the Hawks had wrestled control, finishing the first quarter with a six-point advantage after an impressive scoring surge.

The second quarter continued in the same high-scoring vein. Both teams traded baskets, but the Hawks’ composure and shot selection began to separate them. Led by a balanced offensive effort, the Neon and Navy stretched their lead and took a strong 49-58 advantage into the half-time locker room, looking confident on the road.

The third quarter told a different story. Nottingham emerged with a clear defensive adjustment, disrupting the Hawks’ rhythm and limiting them to just 12 points in the period. The hosts clawed their way back into contention and edged ahead, taking a narrow two-point lead into the final quarter and setting up a tense finish.

True to the club’s identity, the Hawks responded with resilience. Raising their defensive intensity and staying locked in at both ends of the floor, they battled possession by possession to regain control. Crucially, they held their nerve at the free-throw line in the closing stages to seal the game and secure a massive road victory that keeps them right in the mix this season.

Scoring was led by Ethan Rose with 22 points, while Joe Heyes added 21. Dan Pilkington contributed 18 and Charles Olusunamde chipped in with 14 in what was a true team performance under pressure.

Head Coach Danny Byrne said, “It was always going to be a tough challenge. We arrived shorthanded and Dave picking up a knock in the first quarter made it even more difficult but the guys stepped up to the adversity well. We have two games left in the regular season and we are determined to finish the season with two more wins.”

 The Hawks will be back on the road this Saturday as they travel to face Sheffield College at 5pm, determined to keep their push for silverware alive.