How do you bounce back from relegation? Just keep winning. The Blackhawks opened their Div 1 North B season with three wins, and a whole lot of optimism.
It’s been an offseason of re-grouping for Newcastle after the team’s relegation to Div 1 last year. But that’s partly good news. Because the Hawks enjoyed a great winter of recruitment, adding raw, talented players and established kitted veterans. The Winter League in Scotland was spent blending new blood with existing players, and the team felt ready to go when opening day came around.
Here’s how it panned out:
Touchdowns – James Newton 3 / Ross Conley 3 / Jack Mulholland 1 / Martin Jolley 1
Interceptions – Brad McDockery 1
Safeties – Taylor Walton 1
Game One saw the Blackhawks face off against a rookie team, from a familiar place. The Calderdale Knights were a fixture on Newcastle’s fixture list for years, but they’re no more. Instead, there’s a new Calderdale team in town. The Calderdale Locomotives first entered the league in 2023, and took on a Blackhawks team looking to make a statement.
The Hawks scored inside two minutes, but then found themselves penned back on its own goal-line. One fourth down stop was chalked off for a penalty, but the defense repeated the feat. From there, the defense didn’t allow another first down, and the offense took over.
Quarterback Lee Fraser connected for multiple touchdowns, and the defense even added a safety through debutant Taylor Walton late on. The game ended 54-0 to the Blackhawks.
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 2 / James Newton 1 / Martin Jolley 1
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 2
Safeties – Mark Essam 1
Game Two pitted Newcastle against a fellow promotion contender from Sheffield. The Giants took a hiatus from flag from 2018 to 2024, but return this year with two teams (Blue and Black) and a wealth of talent on both sides.
This was a close one (albeit with a scorekeeping malfunction that gifted the Giants an extra touchdown). After stopping Giants Blue on their opening drive, Fraser drove the Hawks into the endzone thanks to a bomb to Jack Mulholland and a short completion to Martin Jolley. Giants Blue responded with a fourth down score, and then took the lead after the offense capitalised on a late-first-half interception.
With momentum threatening to tip, a Taylor Walton interception set up the offense to tie it up. Ross Conley converted with a deep reception. Walton then seized another pick after a Mark Essam tip, and the offense were in again. Mark Essam added a safety, before Blue’s Josh Allen zigzagged past Newcastle defenders for a touchdown. There was still time for the Blackhawks to seal a win though, with the one-two punch of a Ross Conley touchdown and a defensive stop proving enough to send them to 2-0 on the season.
Touchdowns – Jack Mulholland 2 / Scott Smith 2 / James Newton 1
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 2 / Phil Watson 1
Another new league entrant awaited the Hawks in Game Three.
However, the Warthogs boast several players with flag experience, so were no pushovers. Newcastle started with something of a stutter, unable to extend their lead despite a dominant defensive display. They went in at the half at 14-0, but started the second more clinically.
By the end, James Newton was able to step in at quarterback with a strong lead, and marked his opening drive with his first passing touchdown in BAFA league football. Taylor Walton was again smothering on defense, with two interceptions including a game-sealing pick.
NEXT UP:
The Blackhawks (3-0) travel to Halifax for Gameweek Two on April 13, where they’ll face the Nottingham Bears, Coventry Panthers B and Leicester Huntsmen.