With just three more games to go in the regular season, the Blackhawks had a simple goal: Win at least two games, and they could call themselves division champs.
The Billingham weather may have tested them, but Newcastle emerged from three very different encounters with a trio of wins and bragging rights at the top of Div 1 North B. But the big tests are yet to come, with a spot in the Prem up for grabs on August 11, and a chance to compete in the national finals in September.
Here’s how it panned out:
Game photos by Ian Mungwadzi and Martin Jolley
Touchdowns – Ross Conley 3 / Jack Mulholland 1 / James Newton 1 /Adam Newton 1 / Scott Smith 1
Interceptions – Conor Joyce 1
No game is a gimme. But the Blackhawks had this one circled ahead of a long gameday in Billingham.
The Warthogs may have a mid-table record in the division, but they’re a formidable foe that you ignore at your peril. The combination of sure-handed receivers and a scrambling quarterback with wheels kept the Blackhawks on their toes throughout. But in the end, Newcastle pulled away to secure their first win of the day.
While the Blackhawks air attack had a big impact on the game, it was the run that broke the deadlock early on. Scott Smith took a short handoff to the house, giving the purple-and-black a boost. This was followed by touchdowns from Lee Fraser to James Newton and Jack Mulholland and a Ross Conley double, as the ‘Hawks established a strong lead.
The Warthogs rebounded in the second half, causing a few wobbles. But despite finding the endzone four times on the day, they couldn’t fully overcome their first half deficit.
Conley added another and Conor Joyce popped up with an acrobatic interception, while Henry Bulmer found Adam Newton for a late score to make the final total 48-27 to the Blackhawks.
Special mention goes to dominant Blackhawks blitzer Mark Essam for clearing 50 pass breakups on the season, and establishing himself as one of the most dangerous QB menacers in Div 1.
One down. Two to go.
Touchdowns – Adam Newton 2 / Josh Gargan/ Jack Mulholland
Pick Sixes – Saskia Köttler / Liam Messenger / Taylor Walton
Pick Two – Chris Stanworth
Interceptions – Taylor Walton 2 / Conor Joyce
Win this one, and the Blackhawks were division champs.
Simple as that.
And while it might have been a better story if this one went down to the wire (particularly for the chasing Sheffield Giants Blue), in truth the Hawks were well out of sight before the end – thanks to some brutal and punishing defense.
Newcastle’s ballhawk instincts kicked in in a big way in this one. Taylor Walton taking an interception to the endzone to get the sideline bouncing. Sass Köttler going the length of the field for her first pick six as a Blackhawk. Liam Messenger leaping in front of a route, and returning it to the house. Add picks by Walton and Joyce and a Pick Two from Chris Stanworth, and you had the makings of a banner day for the D.
At times, it felt like the offense didn’t need to do much. But they pulled their weight when it mattered. Lee Fraser connected with Adam Newton for a score, and Henry Bulmer found Adam Newton and Ross Conley. There was even time for a trick pass from Scott Smith to Josh Gargan to round things off.
The game ended 56-6, and the division was purple and black for 2024. But with a tricky playoff tournament coming up, the Blackhawks needed to maintain momentum and confidence by winning that last game.
Touchdowns – Jack Mulholland 3 / Adam Newton 2 / Ross Conley
Pick Two – Chris Stanworth
Interceptions – Mark Essam
If the previous game was a celebration, this one felt more like a slog.
The Blackhawks rounded off their season with a game against the hosting Steel River Stingrays. With little to play for beyond pride – and the remote and unlikely chance of a change in playoff seeding – it should have been more relaxed than it was.
However, this rainsoaked and testy game frequently saw tempers fray on the pitch – and on the sidelines. The result was a battle that felt more exhausting than both previous matches put together.
While this isn’t an encounter that the Blackhawks will remember fondly, there were some bright spots. Jack Mulholland tormented the Stingrays defense with slippery moves and a lightning-quick turn of pace. Blitzing sensation Mark Essam snagged an interception off a pass block. Chris Stanworth collected his second pick two in two games.
But a first half which started so breezily for the Hawks closed up fast toward half-time, forcing the team to settle down and dial in during the break. In the end, Adam Newton, Ross Conley and Jack Mulholland all turned up on the scoreboard as the Hawks stormed off the pitch as 43-33 winners.
With a 17-2 record in regular season play, the Blackhawks sit pretty as #3 seeds going into “play-in” weekend on August 11. There they’ll face contenders from both the Prem and Div 1, with just two spots up for grabs in the top flight next season.
NEXT UP:
The #3 seed Newcastle Blackhawks will compete in the “play-in” tournament in Yorkshire on Sunday August 11, with matches against Manchester Titans Bees, the Warrington Revolution, and Sheffield Giants Blue. The latter ran them close during this year’s regular season, while the Blackhawks will hope to post better results against the two teams that defeated them in their relegation “play-in” last September.
There’s talk of Sunday’s “play-in” being live streamed. We’ll update with more details on our socials when we have them.
Then it’s on to the National Playoffs in September. Watch this space.