Everything to play for as season draws to a close

With just two games left in the season and two wins needed to secure the top spot in the MDNL Premier Division, Hawks 1sts came out firing in a high-energy match against Swifts.

Hawks started strong, dominating the first quarter with clinical shooting from Alex Jacob and Katie Bayfield, giving them a commanding 10-3 lead. The defensive unit of Molly Edmondson, Lydia Johnston-Coff, and Chanti Stubbs applied relentless pressure, forcing errors and turnovers that Hawks capitalised on.

By halftime, Hawks had extended their lead to 21-10, with Hannah Cornish controlling the centre court and Sammy Johnston-Coff feeding well into the shooting circle. Swifts fought hard, but Hawks’ fluid play and defensive intensity kept them firmly in control.

The third quarter saw Hawks push even further ahead to 28-15, with disciplined defensive work and sharp attacking transitions. Going into the final quarter, they maintained their composure, closing out the game 37-21 to seal a convincing victory.

With just one game left in the season and only three points separating 1st and 2nd place, everything is on the line next week as Hawks 1st look to confirm their position at the top.

Henley Hawks 2nds kept their promotion hopes alive with a dominant performance against Bluebirds, securing a convincing 40-22 victory.

The opening quarter was a tightly contested affair, with Hawks edging ahead by just one goal as both teams battled for early control. However, in the second quarter, Hawks shifted up a gear, demonstrating their attacking fluidity and defensive discipline to stretch their lead to eight goals by half-time.

The second half saw Hawks continue to build on their advantage, with clinical shooting from Kate Tremayne and Totie Thomas, well-supported by Niki Stubbs at WA.

Jules Tomlinson controlled the midcourt, ensuring smooth transitions, while the defensive duo of Cate Fitt and Sarah Kenyon applied relentless pressure to limit Bluebirds’ scoring opportunities. Lou Todd at WD disrupted play effectively, helping to turn over possession in crucial moments.

Despite the growing deficit, Bluebirds showed resilience, fighting hard to secure a valuable bonus point by keeping the margin within range. However, Hawks’ strength across the court proved too much, with Kenyon earning Player of the Match for her commanding performance at GK, shutting down the opposition’s attacking threats.

Hawks 2nds were also in action against a determined Tigers side in a thrilling contest that saw momentum shift throughout the game. With a strong start, the Hawks overcame early challenges to claim a well-earned 22-19 victory.

The match began with Tigers immediately putting pressure on, turning over Hawks’ first centre pass. However, it took them five minutes to convert, allowing the Hawks to regroup. From there, Emma Robinson and Lou Todd found their rhythm in the midcourt, linking seamlessly to feed shooters Kate Tremayne and Totie Thomas. Their accuracy under the post gave the Hawks a 7-4 lead at the first break.

In the second quarter, the Hawks’ defensive unit took complete control. Sarah Kenyon, Lou Porter, and Cate Fitt were relentless, shutting down Tigers’ attacking efforts with smart positioning, clean intercepts, and tight marking. The defensive wall proved impenetrable as Tigers struggled to get the ball into the circle. With Hawks capitalising on turnovers, Thomas and Tremayne proved too strong and extended their lead to 13-4 by halftime.

Fresh legs were introduced at the break, with Jules Tomlinson replacing Fitt at WD. However, Tigers came out firing in the third quarter, making tactical changes that challenged the Hawks. Tremayne and Thomas were put under immense pressure in the shooting circle but fought through, fighting for rebounds and converting when it mattered. Despite the Tigers’ resurgence, the Hawks maintained their lead at 18-11 going into the final quarter.

The last 15 minutes saw Tigers launch a comeback, scoring five unanswered goals and turning over two Hawks centre passes. With fatigue setting in, captain Robinson made a strategic switch — moving Todd to centre, herself to GA, and Thomas to WD. The adjustment proved crucial, as Todd’s two key interceptions disrupted Tigers’ momentum, Tomlinson was strong in transition, supporting Kenyon and Porter on the circle edge, and Kenyon’s defensive lean continued to frustrate the Tigers shooters.

Henley Hawks 3rds put up a determined fight against a strong Survey Max side, securing a well-earned bonus point in a competitive encounter.

Survey Max started the game with intent, capitalising on their attacking opportunities to build a five-goal lead by the end of the first quarter. Despite the Hawks working hard to disrupt their flow, the opposition continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, extending their advantage to 10 goals by half-time.

After the break, Hawks regrouped and produced a much stronger defensive display. With Nell Priestley and Lucy Sharman-Monday making key interceptions, and Victoria Thorpe adding fresh energy to the defensive end mid-game, the team successfully slowed Survey Max’s attacking momentum.

In the midcourt, Juliet Machan, Marieke Fox, and Sasha Reed worked tirelessly to transition play, while shooters Annabel James and Millie Roberts made the most of their opportunities in the circle.

The final quarter was a testament to Hawks’ resilience as both teams battled evenly, matching each other goal for goal. Although Survey Max’s early dominance secured them the win with a final score of 29-20, Hawks can take plenty of positives from their second-half performance and deservedly walked away with a bonus point.

With both teams sitting at the top of the table, Henley Hawks 5ths 18-18 Division 4 clash with Aurora was always going to be a thriller. The teams went head-to-head in a gripping contest that went right down to the wire, with neither side willing to concede an inch.

The first quarter saw both teams battling for dominance but ultimately cancelling each other out, finishing 5-5. Aurora found their rhythm in the second quarter, disrupting Henley’s flow and edging ahead to take an 11-8 lead at halftime.

After the break, Henley Hawks showed resilience, with Malika Stubbs driving the ball through the centre court and Charlotte Conde providing key feeds into the attacking circle. Shooters Aleesha Traynor and Zoe Burroughs remained composed under pressure, helping to narrow the deficit to just two goals by the end of the third quarter (13-15).

Defensively, Belle Tebbutt and Rachel Platt worked tirelessly to challenge Aurora’s shooters, while Hannah Flintham applied crucial pressure through the midcourt. In the final quarter, Hawks dug deep. With every player fighting for the win, Henley clawed their way back, levelling the scores at 18-18 by the final whistle.

With just one game remaining in the season and only five points separating the two teams, the race for the Division 4 title could come down to goal difference — setting up a dramatic finish to an already thrilling campaign.