It was finally here…..the long awaited first game of the 2021-22 season…..at home…..the stage was set. It was Hawks 1 vs Bedford Thunder 1, a fixture which had historically seen wins and losses being traded both home and away. After the newest advert of ‘Like getting your money’s worth – Badminton edition’ had concluded filming, it was time for a swift warm up and final match preparations to take place. After an inspiring team talk from Coach Morris had fired the starting five up, it was time for Harlow’s resident kangaroo Josh Haddow to win the tip and set this game off!
Quarter One started off with two quick buckets from the Thunder, with consecutive triples from Josh and Kostas to answer back shortly after. A flurry of baskets from the duo of Haddow and Hawkins stretched the lead but after an exchanging of points from both teams the lead was cut to 17-14 at the end of the first.
Quarter Two was kicked off with two missed free throws, a sign of foreshadowing some might say…After four quick baskets, Hawks found themselves trailing for the first time since the third minute. However, have no fear – Jack Hawkins is here! After three silky moves from the man and a basket from Dupes thrown in there for good measure, Hawks were back level. To end the half, we saw some fancy footwork for the and-1 from Aylott and a three ball from Phil, taking the Hawks to a nice six-point lead at 32-26.
Quarter Three opened with baskets from Coach Morris and Aylott, with subsequent made shots from the Thunder in reply. Another three from Phil and free throw conversions from Hawkins took Hawks up by six. The icing on the figurative cake was provided by Kostas who drained a nice three to end the third 49-41.
Quarter Four opened with a strange sense of deja-vu, as Kostas dribbled to the same spot and knocked down another three to extend the lead even further. Unfortunately this was not a sign of things to come…..as Thunder went on a scoring spree of 20-2 to rain on Hawks parade and take the lead, 61-54. Following more missed free throws from the Hawks, a late run of five points was not enough to shift the momentum. As Hawks tried their best to regain the lead, they were to no avail…a tough loss to take in the end.
Final Score – 69-61, see you in Bedford.
Written By:- J.Aylott
