Harlow Hawks end their drought with first win of the season away to Bedford Thunder in Herts league Div 1
Games on the road are notoriously difficult to win especially travelling as far as Bedford from Harlow and on a Sunday afternoon. But for this game Harlow travelled with only seven players and secured their first win of the season.
This was an afternoon to remember for R Norkeliunas who totalled 41 points for the game. In the first quarter all but three points came from Norkeliunas with H Patterson scoring the only other basket with a three pointer. It was a very even yet low scoring quarter for both teams. Hawks opting for a zone defence that seemed to be effective against the Thunder. The teams traded baskets but the Hawks ended a point down at the end of the quarter with the score Thunder 14 Hawks 13.
A much improved quarter for Hawks in the second. Again domination from Norkeliunas with 8 points, 6 points from Coach Niaz, both three pointers and a single free throw from S Burgess. Thunder could not handle Norkeliunas under the basket who was winning most of the offensive rebounds and put backs. Hawks ended the half in the lead with the score ending Thunder 25 Hawks 28.
There was some optimism and belief from the Hawks players which seemed to spur the players on. Hawks found third gear in the third quarter and with Thunder unable to penetrate the Hawks defence, Niaz and Patterson combined for 10 points for a total of 16 points for the quarter. The other six points were added by, no surprise, Norkeliunas. The quarter ended Thunder 37 Hawks 44.
The Hawks had the win in their sights but a narrow lead and had to keep their composure to close out the win. This was not as straightforward as hoped and Thunder made a few baskets early in the quarter to keep the score tight. However, it was in the final five minutes that Hawks turned on the pressure. Hawks kept Thunder to just 9 points and went on to score 18 for the quarter to ensure the satisfying win on the road. The match ended Bedford Thunder 46 Harlow Hawks 63
Written By: Saul Friedner
