Stepping up for the second game in the series, Hawks appeared calm, collected and ready to play. They began well, keeping the game level against their opponents with the score 5-5 for the first five minutes, with strong teamwork showing. Unfortunately, at this point the opposition showed their athleticism and defensive abilities and stepped up, with a number of fast breaks allowing them to push the score to 5-20 at the end of the first quarter.
A three pointer from Josh Haddow was the only answer to a 12 point run in the second, with the opposition continuing to dominate; despite Hawks attempts to catch them, the score at half time finished up with Hawks trailing Pulse 15-57.
Revived and raring to go after some strong words at the break, Hawks put out a fight with both Jack Aylott and Josh Haddow scoring back to back baskets. Camron McIntosh and Mubbasher Niaz followed with a number of baskets and the Pulse appeared to tire in the second half, with strong defence from the Hawks preventing them from scoring as freely as they had in the first half. This improved performance meant that Hawks could contain the team that had outplayed them in the first half, with the overall winners scoring just 5 more points in the second half. The score at the final buzzer was 98-50, but the morale of Hawks showed that more than just a scoreline had been taken away from the game.
Written By – Matt Fleming
