Sometimes you don’t get everything your own way. But the Blackhawks rebounded from their first loss of the season to keep pace with Leeds at the top of the division.
Newcastle started slowly in Halifax, falling to a low-scoring loss to Nottingham. But they remain joint top of the division thanks to victories over Coventry and Leicester.
Here’s how it panned out:
Game photos by Saskia Köttler (Click here for full album)
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 1
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 1
This wasn’t how Gameweek Two was meant to start for the high-flying Blackhawks. It was a game that few involved will be telling their loved ones about in their final hours on earth – a low-scoring affair, that saw the Bears emerge victorious thanks to a second-half safety.
The Hawks stalled on their opening drive despite being on the field for ten plays – six of those coming inside the red zone. They were behind soon after, with the Bears adding a touchdown on their second drive. The offense responded immediately to make it 6-6, but couldn’t add another in the final minute despite coming heartbreakingly close.
While the Bears were stopped to start the second half, the Blackhawks were also finding it hard to take advantage on offense. Indeed, it was the Bears defense who were next on the board, adding a safety to set up a, 8-6 scoreline. Newcastle were unable to secure a comeback win on their final drive, with 45 seconds to play with, and turned the ball over on downs to give Nottingham the victory.
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 2
Interceptions – Saskia Köttler 1
The Blackhawks needed to respond quickly after their lacklustre start. But it was another tight encounter against Coventry’s B side, which featured one-time Blackhawks Liam Dale.
The Blackhawks opened the game with an interception, but stood firm on defense, giving the offense another chance. This time they scored, putting them up 6-0. But it was to be the only points of the first half, as the Hawks saw limited red zone opportunities.
Panthers B emerged with purpose in the second half, and levelled the scores with an early touchdown. The offense seemed to be struggling to move the ball once they crossed halfway, while the Panthers began to find some rhythm. Luckily, Saskia Köttler was on hand to grab a pick off a tipped ball, and then the defense followed that up with a red zone stop on the next drive.
The decisive – and much-needed – second score came thanks to a great read from Lee Fraser and a twisting mid-air catch from Ross Conley, who managed to get his feet down in bounds at the back of the endzone. Despite a late scare from Panthers B, who drove down to within scoring range, the defense managed to emerge with the stop they needed to secure the win.
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 4 / James Newton, Martin Jolley, Jack Marshall, Josh Gargan 1
Interceptions – Conor Joyce & Phil Watson 1
Finally. That’s more like it.
After two nerve-wracking contests, the Blackhawks turned on the jets against the Leicester Huntsman, clearing the 50 point mark for the second time this year.
With Lee Fraser under center, the Blackhawks scored on the second play of the game through the elusive Josh Gargan. But the Huntsmen were up for the battle, and the first four drives of the game all ended in touchdowns. At one point, the Huntsmen took the lead, but the Hawks responded quickly to score and take a 20-18 lead into the half.
The second half was a different story, as adjustments on defense took some of the sting out of Leicester’s attack. Interceptions by Phil Watson and Conor Joyce added to the momentum, and the offense added five touchdowns on five second half drives to put the Hawks up to 5-1 on the season.
However, the early slip meant they were tied with the Leeds Samurai at the top of Div 1 North B, going into a grudge match at home in May.
NEXT UP:
The Blackhawks (5-1) play their home gameday on May 11, where they’ll face fellow division leaders Leeds Samurai, the Steel River Stingrays, and Sheffield Giants Black.