Hawks Women Show Intensity in Season Opener
The West Yorkshire Hawks Women began their 2026/27 season with a 69–44 defeat away to Trafford Mystics on Saturday afternoon.
Although the Hawks did not leave Manchester with the result they wanted, there were encouraging signs from a new group playing its first National Basketball League game together.
Trafford opened a narrow advantage during the first quarter, leading 17–13 after an energetic start from both teams. The hosts extended their lead by three points in the second period, taking a 32–25 advantage into half-time.
A difficult third quarter proved decisive as the organised Mystics scored 27 points and restricted the Hawks to eight. West Yorkshire continued to compete, however, and responded by winning the final quarter 11–10.
Before the game, Head Coach Marc Holmes had asked his players to focus on one quality above everything else.
Holmes said: “At the start of the game, I asked the team to demonstrate and agree on one thing: intensity. The team did that from start to finish.”
“We didn’t get the result we wanted, but the desire to compete is there, and that is something I cannot teach. Regardless of the result or the score, everyone stuck to the plan right until the end, and we won the final quarter.”
With limited pre-season time together as a complete squad, the opening fixture has given the Hawks a clear starting point for the weeks ahead.
Defensive communication, offensive spacing and the timing of screens, passes and cuts will be among the team’s priorities when they return to training.
Holmes added: “All of those things are areas we can work on and improve. This game gives us a starting point. We remember it, learn from it and get better because of it.”
“I really appreciate the effort and commitment from every player. We stay together, keep our heads up and keep working. We are coming.”
The players also left the game encouraged by the energy and togetherness shown during their first game as a new group. With the opening test complete, the Hawks will now return to training and continue building towards the rest of the season.
Hawks Women Show Intensity in Season Opener
The West Yorkshire Hawks Women began their 2026/27 season with a 69–44 defeat away to Trafford Mystics on Saturday afternoon.
Although the Hawks did not leave Manchester with the result they wanted, there were encouraging signs from a new group playing its first National Basketball League game together.
Trafford opened a narrow advantage during the first quarter, leading 17–13 after an energetic start from both teams. The hosts extended their lead by three points in the second period, taking a 32–25 advantage into half-time.
A difficult third quarter proved decisive as the organised Mystics scored 27 points and restricted the Hawks to eight. West Yorkshire continued to compete, however, and responded by winning the final quarter 11–10.
Before the game, Head Coach Marc Holmes had asked his players to focus on one quality above everything else.
Holmes said: “At the start of the game, I asked the team to demonstrate and agree on one thing: intensity. The team did that from start to finish.”
“We didn’t get the result we wanted, but the desire to compete is there, and that is something I cannot teach. Regardless of the result or the score, everyone stuck to the plan right until the end, and we won the final quarter.”
With limited pre-season time together as a complete squad, the opening fixture has given the Hawks a clear starting point for the weeks ahead.
Defensive communication, offensive spacing and the timing of screens, passes and cuts will be among the team’s priorities when they return to training.
Holmes added: “All of those things are areas we can work on and improve. This game gives us a starting point. We remember it, learn from it and get better because of it.”
“I really appreciate the effort and commitment from every player. We stay together, keep our heads up and keep working. We are coming.”
The players also left the game encouraged by the energy and togetherness shown during their first game as a new group. With the opening test complete, the Hawks will now return to training and continue building towards the rest of the season.