Henley Hawks 4ths hold nerve to edge out Pink Flamingo Blush

HENLEY HAWKS 1sts eased to a 41-29 Maidenhead and District League Premier Division win against BLACK MAGIC.

The opening quarter was tightly contested with both sides matching each other goal for goal. Hawks edged the early exchanges, taking a slender one-goal advantage into the first break.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern, as the teams continued to cancel each other out across the court. However, Hawks showed patience and precision when it mattered, extending their lead to two goals by half-time.

The third quarter proved decisive, with some outstanding shooting and sharper transitions through the court allowing Hawks to build momentum. They stretched their advantage to five goals heading into the final period.

In the closing quarter, Hawks kept the pressure firmly on Black Magic, maintaining their intensity and capitalising on key turnovers. Their consistency and control saw them extend their lead further to secure victory by

In Division 2, HENLEY HAWKS 2nds ran out 35-28 winners against FRENZY.

A tightly contested opening saw Frenzy edge ahead to take a slender one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was evenly matched, with both sides going goal for goal. Despite the pressure, Frenzy maintained their narrow advantage heading into half-time.

In the third quarter, both teams continued to battle hard. An interception allowed Frenzy to extend their lead to two goals.

Refusing to let the game slip away, Hawks dug deep. The defensive unit disrupted Frenzy’s rhythm with crucial blocks and turnovers. Hawks’ work rate lifted as they steadily reeled Frenzy back in before edging into the lead. Once in front, the momentum stayed with Hawks who pushed on to win by seven goals.

HENLEY HAWKS 3rds delivered a commanding performance in Division 2 to secure a 39-23 victory against GENESIS.

Hawks set the tone early with sharp attacking play and relentless defensive pressure. Their pace through court and clinical finishing under the post saw them surge into a nine-goal lead by the end of the first quarter.

Genesis responded in the second quarter, pressing hard and working tirelessly to disrupt Hawks’ rhythm. While they succeeded in slowing the momentum at times, Hawks maintained their composure and continued to convert their chances. By half-time, Hawks had extended their advantage to an 11-goal cushion. The second half followed a similar pattern. Hawks remained focused and disciplined, moving the ball through the court and capitalising on turnovers. Genesis battled throughout and were rewarded for their efforts by securing the bonus point as the Hawks ran out winners by 16 goals.

HENLEY HAWKS 5ths ran out 30-16 winners in their Division 3 clash with 7 STARS.

Hawks settled quickly and looked sharp from the first centre pass. Slick movement through the midcourt and good finishing in the circle allowed them to open up an early advantage, and by the end of the first quarter they had established a healthy six-goal cushion.

The second quarter brought a response from 7 Stars as they raised their intensity, disrupted the Hawks’ flow and began to chip away at the lead. Although Hawks steadied themselves and found answers when needed, the gap was trimmed slightly, with the half-time whistle blowing at a five-goal margin.

After the break, Hawks shifted up another gear. Defensive pressure increased across the court, forcing errors and creating valuable turnover ball. With greater control and patience in attack, they began to stretch the lead decisively. By the end of the third quarter, Hawks had created an 11-goal lead.

In the final quarter, 7 Stars battled hard to claim a bonus point, refusing to let the scoreline drift further but Hawks remained composed to win by 14 goals.

In Division 4, HENLEY HAWKS 4ths defeated PINK FLAMINGOS BLUSH 24-20.

Henley stormed out of the blocks, moving the ball through the court and converting consistently in the circle to build a five-goal advantage by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Hawks find their rhythm. A strong defensive presence combined with patient attacking play allowed them to extend their lead to seven goals. Blush responded well after the break and began to show the form that has kept them at the top of the table, tightening up defensively and preventing Hawks from pulling any further away. While Hawks maintained control, the margin remained at seven heading into the final quarter.

Blush demonstrated impressive resilience and gradually chipped away at the deficit. Halfway through the quarter, they had drawn level and looked poised to snatch the win in dramatic fashion. However, Hawks showed character under pressure and a couple of crucial interceptions were calmly converted, allowing them to edge back in front and ultimately secure a hard-fought victory.

In the Reading and District League, HENLEY HAWKS 2nds secured an emphatic 57-21 win against WHITEKNIGHTS. Hawks set the tone early, establishing control in the opening quarter to lead 14-5. By half-time, Hawks had extended their advantage to 30-10, with the midcourt linking play effectively and feeding accurately into the circle.

The momentum continued into the third quarter, where Hawks pushed further ahead to 43-16. Defensive intensity remained high, disrupting Whiteknights’ flow and limiting their scoring opportunities. In the final quarter, Hawks maintained their composure and consistency, closing out the game winners by 36 goals.

In the Berkshire Premier League, HENLEY HAWKS 1sts went down to a 56-43 defeat by Division 2 league leaders WOODLEY.

The opening quarter saw Hawks working steadily to find their rhythm. Connections began to build through the court as the quarter progressed, and momentum started to swing their way in the latter stages. Despite the improvement, Woodley edged ahead to close the first quarter 14-8 in front. In the second quarter, Hawks raised their defensive intensity, applying relentless pressure and forcing errors from the Woodley attack. The defensive unit worked tirelessly to disrupt play, creating valuable turnover ball which the shooters capitalised on. However, Woodley showed their quality and experience, extending their lead to 30-18 by half-time.

Fresh legs in the midcourt at the start of the third quarter injected new energy and pace into the game. Hawks’ attack displayed patience and composure, moving the ball with purpose and converting from all areas of the circle. Strong teamwork saw Hawks close the gap to eight goals by the end of the quarter.

The final quarter saw the Hawks continue to chip away at the deficit and reduced the margin to just five goals at one stage. The momentum shift had Woodley under pressure, but the league leaders regrouped and gradually pulled away in the closing minutes to secure victory by
13 goals.