Hawks Take Charge of Title Race
The West Yorkshire Hawks made a resounding statement in the NBL Division 3 title race, taking the win over previously unbeaten Tameside Vikings 89-70 in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday night at the Hawks Nest at the University of Huddersfield. In a game that carried high stakes, the Hawks not only avenged their sole loss of the season but did so by the critical margin needed to secure the head-to-head advantage, putting their title destiny firmly in their own hands.
From the opening tip, the Hawks fed off the energy of the home crowd. A blistering first quarter saw them pour in 27 points, with Dave Walsh leading the charge. Walsh was unstoppable early, draining shots from beyond the arc on his way to 12 points in the period. Tameside, however, showed their resolve and kept pace, trailing by just three points after the opening period.
The second quarter saw the Hawks shift their focus to the defensive end, where their increased hustle stifled Tameside’s offensive flow. This translated into opportunities on the other end, helping the Hawks extend their lead to nine points at halftime, 51-43.
Coming out of the break, Tameside looked more composed, tightening up their defense and limiting the Hawks to just 15 points in the third quarter. Despite the offensive struggles, the Hawks’ defense held strong, and their balanced scoring ensured the visitors couldn’t chip away at the lead. Heading into the final quarter, the Hawks maintained a 9-point advantage.
The fourth quarter was where the Hawks flipped the switch. Walsh continued his shooting clinic, finishing with a game-high 26 points, including an incredible 7-for-10 from three-point range. Griffith added to his strong night with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, dominating the glass and finishing around the rim. Charles Andrews provided consistent scoring throughout the game with 12 points, while Laing chipped in 11 points with timely baskets. Rob Donaldson capped off the balanced effort with a double-double of his own, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hawks’ suffocating defense in the final period fueled their offense, as they outscored Tameside 23-13 in the quarter to seal the 19-point win. Head coach Danny Byrne praised his team’s ability to handle the pressure and deliver in such a high-stakes matchup, saying”The pressure was on today, and the guys dealt with it admirably. They stepped up in a big way and got the job done. Tameside are tough with lots of scoring options, but we stuck to the task and came away with the win we needed, all in front of an amazing crowd. It was an unreal night—my best with the Hawks.”
The victory not only extends the Hawks’ winning streak to six games but also puts them in pole position in the title race. They’ll look to maintain their momentum next weekend when they travel to face Sheffield Elite.