Sometimes, things just work out. On a hot home gameday in Newcastle, the Blackhawks clicked on offense and defense and opened up a lead at the top of their division.
Wins over the Stingrays and Giants Black were coupled with a storming performance against the Samurai, leaving Newcastle in sole possession of top-spot in Div 1 North B. But there’s still a lot of flag to play before the standings are set in stone.
Here’s how it panned out:
Game photos by Saskia Köttler (Click here for full album) and Donna Petrie (Click here for full album)
Touchdowns – Scott Smith 3 / Ross Conley 1 / Jack Mulholland 1 / Adam Newton 1
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 1
The Blackhawks enjoyed a relatively drama-free afternoon as they clocked up three wins and surged to 8-1 on the season.
They started moving the ball methodically on offense, locating the sure-handed Ross Conley early. But it was Scott Smith who found himself weaving into the endzone most in Game One, showing good smarts as he clocked up three scores against the Teesside-based Stingrays.
While Steel River did manage two scores of their own, the Blackhawks were starting to find their rhythm. Taylor Walton added yet another pick to his tally for the season, and Conley, Mulholland and Adam Newton contributed scores.
The Hawks warmed up for a decisive top-of-the-table clash with a 42-12 victory, and looked to be purring on both sides of the ball.
Touchdowns – Jack Mulholland 3 / Ross Conley 1 / Scott Smith 1
Both Leeds and Newcastle had this one circled in their diaries as a game to win. But it was Newcastle that started most decisively, opening up a commanding lead and eventually grabbing the win.
Gameday MVP Jack Mulholland was a menace throughout the game, snagging long completions and securing three touchdowns. But that’s not the whole story. Because on defense, blitzer Mark Essam tormented Leeds throughout, disrupting plays and blocking several passes in key moments.
The Blackhawks looked focused and dangerous early on, and opened up a 26-0 halftime lead thanks to some great play on both offense and defense. In the second half, Leeds responded with a couple of scores, but they’d left themselves with a mountain to climb.
Newcastle were in sole possession of top spot, but they couldn’t afford to let their standards drop in their final game.
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 2 / Josh Gargan 2 / Jack Mulholland 1 / John Hill 1
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 1 / Chris Stanworth 1 / Conor Joyce 1
After a high-energy game, the worst thing the Blackhawks could do was get smug and get beaten.
However, they kept up the pace in their final match against Giants Black, even when a few tweaks and knocks started to affect the squad.
Ross Conley continued to make waves, and was a huge threat short and deep yet again. Centers combined for three scores against Sheffield, with Josh Gargan grabbing two – including a toe-tapper at the back of the endzone. John Hill opened his account for the season with a short reception to the outside.
Jack Mulholland again found himself on the scoresheet, and put on a show for the third straight game. The Hawks receiver combines pace with the ability to change direction in pretty eye-watering ways.
James Newton took the reins at QB once again later in this game, completing passes with confidence as he prepares to take centre-stage in Big Bowl next month. And the defense looked swarmy yet again, blocking passes and causing confusion. Essam once again proved a threat on the blitz, while Walton, Stanworth and Joyce popped up with excellent interceptions.
The stifling Newcastle defense was only denied a shutout by a fine Giants Black completion for a touchdown as time ran out.
NEXT UP:
The Blackhawks (8-1) travel to the West Yorkshire Warthogs home tournament on June 8, where they’ll get a rematch with Leeds and fellow promotion challengers Giants Blue, as well as the Calderdale Locomotives.
But first, they’re off to Germany, where they’ll face some of the best teams in Europe at Big Bowl on June 1 and 2.