Hawks Stay Hot in Big Win
The West Yorkshire Hawks continued their dominant run in NBL Division 3 with a commanding 102-58 victory over the Manchester Kings. Coming off an emphatic win against Tees Valley Mohawks, the Hawks looked to maintain their momentum against a struggling Kings squad still searching for their first win of the season.
Despite being heavy favourites, the Hawks approached the game with focus and intensity, ensuring there was no room for complacency. They set the tone early, with their trademark defensive pressure and a balanced offensive attack firing on all cylinders. Seven of the 12 Hawks players got on the scoresheet in a blistering first quarter, propelling the team to a 31-14 lead after 10 minutes.
Manchester Kings showed resilience in the second quarter, tightening up defensively to slow the Hawks’ scoring. Even so, the Hawks extended their advantage, outscoring the Kings by six to take a 53-30 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was a masterclass in defensive execution. The Hawks clamped down, limiting the Kings to just eight points while continuing to push the tempo offensively. By the time the period ended, the Hawks had surged to a 77-38 lead, effectively putting the game beyond doubt.
In the final quarter, the Hawks maintained their scoring efficiency, while the Kings delivered their best offensive stretch of the game. Despite the late effort from Manchester, the Hawks cruised to a convincing 44-point win, showcasing the depth and balance within their roster. Charles Andrews led the scoring with 18 points, while Ethan Rose and Chris Sibbett added 16 points each. Dave Walsh contributed 14 points, Jamie Cawtheray chipped in with 11, and Jermayne Laing finished with 10 points.
Hawks Head Coach Danny Byrne praised his team’s collective effort: “It was great to see the whole team step up today. A fully rounded performance with everyone contributing. This helped us deliver probably the most consistent 40 minutes of the season so far.”
The Hawks have a weekend off before their final home game of 2024 with a much-anticipated match up against the Stockport Falcons on Saturday 14th December at the Hawks’ Nest. Fans are invited to join the celebration of what has been an historic year for the club. Tickets for the game are available at https://tktp.as/EXDBOF. This final showdown of the year promises to be a big one as the club are looking to close out the year with the biggest crowd in the club’s history.