Hawks Open Preseason With A Big Win

The West Yorkshire Hawks made a statement in their opening pre-season game, delivering a strong performance against Cheshire Wire with a resounding 91-56 victory at the University of Huddersfield. This game was a showcase of the Hawks’ firepower, especially with the debut of their three new signings—Jacques Misambu, Allie Fullah, and Charles Andrews—each of whom demonstrated why they were brought into the fold.

From the tip-off, the Hawks came out firing on all cylinders. Their perimeter shooting was nothing short of electric, draining big shots from beyond the arc to set the tone early. They quickly built a commanding 28-9 lead by the end of the first quarter, leaving Cheshire Wire struggling to find their footing. The Hawks’ aggressive offensive push not only demonstrated their shooting range but also showcased their ability to execute—a promising sign for Coach Danny Byrne as the team moves forward.

Cheshire Wire managed to regain their composure in the second quarter, finding their rhythm and finally getting their offense into gear. Despite their efforts, the Hawks maintained their relentless pace, continuing to extend their lead. By halftime, the scoreboard read 48-25, with the Hawks holding a comfortable 23-point advantage. This was a clear indication of their depth and the seamless integration of the new signings into the team’s system.

Coming out of the locker room after the half time break, the Hawks showed no signs of slowing down. They continued to push the tempo and extended their lead, outscoring Cheshire Wire by 12 points in the third quarter. The combination of continued strong perimeter shooting and stifling defense kept the Wire at bay.

To their credit, Cheshire Wire didn’t fold. Despite facing a significant deficit, they matched the Hawks point-for-point in the final quarter, showing resilience and heart all the way to the final buzzer.

The Hawks’ offense was led by last season’s MVP, Rob Donaldson, who led all scorers with an impressive 27 points. New signings Allie Fullah and Jacques Misambu each chipped in with 13 points, while Jamie Cawtheray and Chris Sibbett contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. The balanced scoring effort is a promising sign for the Hawks as they prepare for the competitive season ahead.

Rob Donaldson reflected on the team’s performance post-game: “It was impressive. First game of the pre-season, you’re looking to see what the fitness levels are like out there. The guys look sharp, shots went in, and we look like we’re in a good flow. I am looking forward to the season.”

Head coach Danny Byrne was equally pleased, noting, “It’s really positive. The guys have executed the stuff we’ve been working on in practice well today, and it is a good start to our preparations for the season.”

With this dominant performance, the Hawks have set the bar high for the rest of the pre-season. They will continue to fine-tune their game with two more pre-season matchups ahead of them. Before their first game of the season on the road against Stockport Falcons on the 29th September with the first home game of the season will be their second round of the National Cup matchup against either Hartlepool Huskies or Team Sunderland on 5th October. Fans looking to catch the action live can grab tickets for the home opener at the University of Huddersfield by CLICKING HERE.