Confident Hawks soar to back-to-back victories

A great team effort saw Henley Hawks 1sts win 36-23 when took on Magnet Fire in the Maidenhead and District Netball (MDNL) League Premier Division.

With a slight change around in attack, GA George Robertson and GS Katie Bayfield soon found a great connection and the goals started to flow. Judy Goforth at C held the centre court together, helped by tireless drives by WD Sarah Filby and WA Sophie Curran who worked hard to lose their opponents and offer great options.

Defensive duo Chanti Stubbs GK and GD Charlotte Hopper made life extremely difficult for the Magnet’s attack, forcing them to take long shots.

By half time Hawks were leading 19-13 and some outstanding interceptions in the second half helped build on that lead going into the final quarter 28-18 up.

In the final quarter Hawks were looking confident and some superb shots by GA George Robertson consolidated the win for Hawks.

The previous week had seen Henley Hawks 1sts soar to victory against Black Magic in MDNL Premier League by 34-22.

In the inaugural match of the National League series, Henley Hawks Men faced the seasoned greats London Giants, ultimately falling to a score of 63-13. Despite the challenging debut, the Hawks demonstrated admirable effort and determination.

The Hawks’ lineup showcased a blend of seasoned players and debutantes, each contributing to the game. Notably, Kelan Morris and Jamie Brew made their netball debuts for the Hawks, showing raw talent and enthusiasm.

The Hawks aimed to counter their opponents’ experience with defensive tenacity and attacking flair.

Throughout the match, the defensive duo of GK Aston Morris and debutante GD Kelan Morris executed the defensive strategy with exceptional tenacity and skill. Their relentless pressure on the Giants’ shooters forced tips and turnovers and assisted in creating scoring opportunities for the Hawks.

Jamie Brew, making his debut for the Hawks, displayed remarkable determination and potential on the court, his performance indicating a promising future for the team.

Captain Dani Marine Florido, playing in the centre position, led by example with relentless energy and dedication. His ability to transition seamlessly between defence and attack provided a crucial link for the Hawks, keeping the team’s momentum alive despite the Giants’ dominance.

Additionally, WD Geoff Watts provided vital support in defence. Charlie Jordan replaced Geoff in the third quarter as WD, showcasing unbelievable elevation to reach heights beyond a normal human, which proved to be vital in a game that featured highballs throughout. Half-way through the third quarter, Watts came back on for Jordan.

In the attacking third, GA Andy Phillips and GS Linden Glen worked to create scoring opportunities against the Giants’ defence. Despite the challenges, the Hawks remained resilient, constantly adapting to stay competitive throughout the match.

As the game progressed, the coaching team made strategic adjustments to inject new dynamics into the gameplay. Andy Phillips to the C position and Dani Marine Florido to GA in the fourth quarter showed the team’s flexibility and willingness to try new approaches in the face of adversity.

Despite the final score, the Hawks’ performance serves as a promising foundation for their journey in the National League series.

Looking ahead, the Hawks Mixed Team are gearing up for their next match on April 7 at home against London Mixed Team Unicorns.

Henley Hawks 2nds recent clash with ANTS in the MDNL Division 2 League had to be abandoned in the second half due to the weather.

The stage had been set for an intense showdown. With GK Sarah Kenyon guarding the goalpost and GD Annabel Garbett showing strength in defence, Hawks displayed tenacity from the start. WD Nikki Stubbs showed her agility at WD position, while C Jules Tomlinson commanded the centre court. WA Lou Todd’s plays kept the momentum alive, supported by GA Kate Tremayne’s precise shots and Zoe Burroughs’ accuracy as GS.

Despite the Hawks’ determination, the first half concluded with a score of 12-7 to Ants. In the second half, both teams exhibited remarkable skill and resilience. However, at the half-term mark, Ants maintained their lead with a score of 23-16. It was then the game was prematurely abandoned due to the weather and the constraints of a congested schedule make a replay unfeasible.

Recently in the MDNL, Henley Hawks 4ths were defeated 8-57 by Division 3 leaders Assassins.

From the outset, Assassins dominated play, but persistence from GK Vicky Tebbutt and GD Emily Shea, making her debut, applied pressure.

Despite the tough defensive line, Hawks found gaps, with GA Aleesha Traynor and GS Jess O’Sullivan edging the attack in the D. C Elise Russell and WD Lisa Kingham found themselves pushed back, looking for options from team mates but due to the relentless pressure struggled to get the ball to Hawks attack.

WA Belle Tebbutt orchestrated the team’s attacking play, delivering some strong passes into the D and creating scoring chances.

Tactical adjustments in the third quarter saw Totie Thomas making an impact in the attacking third, capitalising on opportunities to keep Hawks in the game. Despite the defeat, Hawks left the court with heads held high.