Hawks spiral down in surprise defeat
The Illawarra Hawks men's basketball team has allowed the Parramatta Wildcats to pull a rabbit out of its hat, for the second straight week, after leading by more than thirty points at one stage of the game. The young Hawks fell 95-94 on Saturday night at the Auburn Basketball Stadium, in round ten of the Waratah Australian Basketball League (WABL) competition.
Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
Illawarra showcased an amazing brand of teamwork during the first half of the game, leading 31-12 and 58-32 at the first two breaks, before the wheels suddenly fell off mid-stride. The momentum of the game turned dramatically in the third term, as the Wildcats found form and the Hawks players turned their focus onto the performance of the three referees, rather than uniting to repel the Wildcats.
Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
The home team edged ever closer as the game clock wore down, eventually hitting the front with just three minutes left in the game. The Hawks would not lie down however, rallying to match the Wildcats basket for basket in a torrid last stanza.
Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
The game appeared headed for overtime until Wildcats centre Goran Veg drove to the hoop for a game-winning lay-up. Veg was fouled as the full-time hooter sounded but subsequently sank the second of his two free throws to give the Wildcats a thrilling 1-point victory. Veg was simply outstanding for the Wildcats all night and finished the game with an amazing thirteen Offensive Rebounds in his impressive stats of 33 points and 19 boards.
Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
Dominique Cooks and Troy Pilon both scored heavily on the night but were undoubtedly the "villains of the piece", endlessly questioning the officials over calls throughout the second half and thereby helping to distract their team-mates from the job at hand.
PHOTOS: Action from Saturday night's game - Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
Parramatta Wildcats 95 (Goran Veg 33 points, 19 boards; Anto Lalic 32 points; Terrance Rone 14; John Hennessy 9 points, 12 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals) defeated Illawarra Hawks 94 (Dominique Cooks 20 points; Daniel Jackson 18; Troy Pilon 14 points, 12 boards; Talor Goodall 12 points; Cameron Fincher 10)
For more basketball stories and photos covering representative, wheelchair and other competition games go to http://wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=288
Dapto Chiefs get 2nd as Wests Cardinals return to winner’s circle
Dapto Chiefs recorded their second win of the season with an 11-3 score over Kiama Braves at Hector Harvey Reserve, Dapto. Chiefs put the result beyond doubt in the fourth inning where six runs were scored on seven hits. Beau Garrett, Nathan Allan-Jones and Craig Leighton batted in two runs each in this inning.
For Chiefs Beau Garrett batted 2 from 3 with 3RBI's and Mitch Thompson 2 from 4 and Anthony Larsen and David Jefford each batted 2 from 4 for Braves. Aaron Mills pitched 4.2 innings allowing 8 hits and 2 earned runs and Tim Inglis 2.2 innings for 1 hit, 0 earned runs. Braves reliever Doug Ineson pitched 4.1innings conceding 5 hits and 1 earned run
Wests Cardinals returned to the winning side of the ledger after last week’s first loss of the season when they defeated Bulli Pirates 3-1 in the round 7 match played at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow. In the eight innings game interrupted by a squally weather change, a tight pitching between Cardinals’ Jamie Simon and Pirates’ Brendan Lower saw Simon come out on top although conceding 7 hits to Lower’s 4.
Cardinals opened the game scoring three runs in the top of the first courtesy of a one out, two run homer by Trent D’Antonio and followed by Josh Dean’s two out solo shot. From here on Lower had the better of the Cards hitters who managed just two hits in the remainder of the game.
Pirates single run came in the third inning when Brad Drain’s two out double batted in Mark Pearson. Josh Dean was the only Cardinals hitter to register multiple hits batting 2 from 4 while Corey Hayman headed Pirates offence with 2 from 3
The first grade table has the Cardinals on top with 6 wins from 7 games, followed by the Eagles with 3 from 4, the Chiefs and Pirates each with 2 from 5 and the Braves yet to record a win from 5 games.
In second grade last weekend, the Cardinals beat the Pirates 12 – 6; Eagles were too strong for the Mariners 8 – 2 and the Chiefs defeated the Braves 7 – 5. In third grade the results were Mariners 4 Warriors 3; Cardinals 7 Pirates 4; Braves 16 Chiefs 5.
There will be a one week recess in the League premiership next week, May 23 and 24 due to the Country New South Wales Youth Championships being held. The competition resumes on May 31 / June 1 when round eight fixtures are scheduled for play. In Major League games Dapto Chiefs play Wests Cardinals at Hector Harvey Reserve, Dapto and Kiama Braves play Berkeley Eagles at Gainsborough Reserve, Kiama Downs. Bulli Pirates have a bye but play lower grade games against Shoalhaven Mariners at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow.
Wolves older teams lead the way in Youth League
In last week’s under 15 Premier Youth League game against Penrith Nepean United, the Wolves high flying under 15s had a comprehensive 5 – 1 win. The Wolves maintained top place on the ladder, although APIA Leichhardt Tigers are only 2 points behind and have a game in hand. The Wolves 16s also had a good 3 nil win against their Penrith opponents and sit in 6th spot on the ladder.
In the under 18s, the 6th placed Wolves had a hard fought 2 all draw against 3rd team Penrith. Full results for Round 12 between Wollongong Wolves and Penrith Nepean United were:
Under 18: Wolves drew 2 all
Under 16: Wolves won 3 nil
Under 15: Wolves won 5 – 1
Under 14: Wolves lost 5 nil
Under 13: Wolves drew 1 all
Sydney FC to play Pre Season Cup match in Wollongong
Sydney FC is to play a Pre Season Cup match against Wellington Phoenix in Wollongong. The match will take place at WIN Stadium on Saturday August 2 beginning at 7pm.
Sydney FC has built up well in the off season with John Aloisi, Simon Colosimo, Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik and Mitchell Prentice joining the club. The A-League begins for Sydney with its match against Melbourne Victory at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 16 August beginning at 7pm
Kids Holiday camps in July
NSW Sport and Recreation's action-packed kids' holiday camps are run by experienced and well-qualified instructors. Young people learn social living skills, experience challenging activities, develop self-esteem and make new friends. They also have great fun and won’t have a moment to spare! For more information click on: http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/kidscamps/
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