Hawks Soar to First League Victory with Impressive Win Over Bella Buzz!

It was a night to remember for Helensburgh Hawks as the team celebrated their first league victory of the 2026/27 season, securing an impressive 59–25 win over Bella Buzz.

After a challenging start to the season, the Hawks went into Thursday evening's fixture determined to turn their hard work into a result. And they certainly delivered!

Before the match, we'd taken a look at both teams' performances so far, with the statistics suggesting a possible Hawks victory of 34–23. What followed exceeded those expectations, with the team producing their highest-scoring performance of the season and a brilliant all-round display.

A Strong Start Sets the Tone

Hawks came out with purpose, quickly creating opportunities in the attacking circle and putting Bella Buzz under pressure.

Despite a competitive opening quarter, Hawks established an early advantage, finishing the first 15 minutes 13–7 ahead.

There were already encouraging signs across the court, with the team working hard to win possession, move the ball forward and create chances for the shooters. But it was the second quarter that really made the difference.

A Sensational Second Quarter!

If there was one period that summed up what Hawks are capable of, it was the second quarter.

The team produced a fantastic 19–3 quarter, extending their lead to 32–10 at half-time.

Hawks converted an impressive 19 of their 22 shooting opportunities, achieving 86.4% accuracy during the quarter.

The combination of defensive pressure, positive movement through the court and confident finishing was a joy to see. It was a real team effort, with players across the court contributing to a dominant 15 minutes of netball.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Bella Buzz continued to battle in the third quarter, but Hawks maintained their advantage, taking the period 11–8.

The team demonstrated excellent composure in the shooting circle, converting 11 of their 13 attempts for an impressive 84.6% accuracy.

Heading into the final quarter with a commanding lead, Hawks showed no signs of easing off. A strong finish saw them take the fourth quarter 16–7, bringing the final score to 59–25 and sealing a thoroughly deserved first win of the season.

Shooting Stars

There were some fantastic individual contributions in the attacking circle, with three players combining to deliver Hawks' highest goal tally of the season.

Rosie led the scoring with 29 goals, making a huge contribution to the team's attacking success and providing a consistent presence in the shooting circle.

Kirsty produced an outstanding display of shooting accuracy, converting an incredible 23 of her 24 attempts — a remarkable 95.8% success rate!

Rachel added another seven goals, contributing to the team's attacking options and showing her versatility across the court.

Together, the shooting unit converted 59 of 81 attempts, achieving an overall accuracy of 72.8%. It was an excellent example of what can happen when opportunities are created throughout the court and the shooters are given the chance to shine.

Defensive Determination Makes the Difference

While the goals will understandably grab the headlines, Hawks' defensive performance deserves just as much recognition.

Throughout the match, the team worked tirelessly to challenge passes, disrupt Bella Buzz's attacking play and regain possession.

The match statistics, carefully recorded by a spectator, captured an impressive 51 genuine interceptions and 58 tips across the team.

These weren't simply fortunate catches from misplaced passes — the interceptions recorded were genuine defensive wins, reflecting the players' anticipation, positioning and determination.

Jordan and Nyssa were particularly influential, each recording 18 interceptions. Nyssa also registered an impressive 26 tips, while Jordan contributed another 12, highlighting the pressure they applied throughout the match.

Georgie added six interceptions and six tips, making a valuable contribution in the defensive circle.

There were also important contributions from Millie, Rachel, Lucy and Leah, demonstrating how defensive pressure can begin right across the court.

It was a brilliant collective effort and a reminder that every goal scored often starts with hard work further down the court.

A Team Performance to Be Proud Of

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the evening was how the team came together.

From the defensive players winning possession, to the midcourt working to bring the ball forward, to the shooters converting opportunities, every area of the court played a part.

Hawks created 81 shooting opportunities over the four quarters — an impressive attacking output and a reflection of the team's energy and determination.

The 59-goal total was particularly special. Before Thursday's match, Hawks' previous highest score this season had been 39. To improve on that by 20 goals is a fantastic achievement.

And with Bella Buzz restricted to 25 goals, the result also represented Hawks' strongest defensive scoreline of the season so far.

A Win Worth Celebrating!

Every team experiences challenges, and the opening weeks of the season haven't always been easy for Helensburgh Hawks.

But performances like this show the value of continuing to work together, supporting one another and building confidence with every match.

Thursday's victory was more than just a result on the league table. It was a reward for the effort, commitment and team spirit that the players have continued to show.

There will be plenty more challenges ahead in GNA Division 6, but Hawks can take real confidence from this performance.

A first league win, 59 goals on the scoreboard, a 34-goal winning margin and plenty of smiles at the final whistle.

A fantastic night for Helensburgh Hawks — and hopefully the first of many victories this season! Well done, Hawks!