The Just Better Care Wollongong Roller Hawks have secured three hard fought wins against the Southern Districts Spartans to move to first place on the NWBL ladder.

Friday’s 62-50 victory was described by captain Tristan Knowles as hampered by being unable to get out of third gear. Saturday saw an improved performance with a 62-46 win before a locked down defensive display at the Illawarra Snakepit secured a 71-39 win on Sunday.

“We had to work out a few things with defence and offence as well so I’m really happy with today’s game,” said Roller Hawks coach Brett Stibners.

On Friday the Spartans stayed with the Roller Hawks thanks to some sharp outside shooting led by Eithen Leard (5/10) with Agustin Alejos Alonso (2/2) and Zach Binns (1/1) perfect from three point range.

“We had to adjust, they were shooting a lot of threes and at a high percentage so we had to get out earlier and harder, so we had to adjust with our defence that way and in offence they just sat in the key and we had to adjust again and not just come down and shoot the first shot.”

The change in tactics allowed the Roller Hawks to reap the benefits both inside and out with Jontee Brown leading the way averaging 24 points and 10.6 rebounds for the weekend and the team going from shooting 37% from the field on Friday to 42% on Saturday and 46% on Sunday.

The Roller Hawks finish Round 3 on top of the ladder as they enter the midway point of the season with a bye in Round 4 before three remaining rounds.

Teams accumulate points for both wins and losses with 3 points awarded for a win and 1 for a loss. With each team playing three times per round, there are up to 9 ladder points on offer each weekend. 

Round 4 presents some intriguing match ups between teams fighting for a Finals berth with Manly at home to Red Dust, and Perth at home to Southern Districts Spartans. All four teams have had split results this season where rather than one team winning 3-0, it’s been a 2-1 split. Perth split their round with Manly 2-1 last weekend and Red Dust snatched a game off the Spartans in Round 1. 

Defending champions Darwin are one of three teams with a round in hand having had their bye but already sit just 8 competition points off the top spot.  They meet last placed Southern Districts Titans at home in Round 4

The Roller Hawks return to the court in Round 5 (July 25-27) against Southern Districts’ other team, the Titans. The teams will play at Shellharbour City Stadium on Friday and Saturday before returning to the Snakepit for Sunday’s fixture.

Entry is just $5 for adults and free for anyone under 18. Season memberships are also available for purchase. Tickets available at the door.

Round 5 Vs Southern Districts Titans

25 July FRI 3x3 1 6:00pm (Shellharbour)

25 July FRI Main Game 7:00pm (Shellharbour)

26 July SAT 3x3 6.00pm (Shellharbour)

26 July SAT Main Game 7:00pm (Shellharbour) 

27 July SUN Main Game 11.00am (Snakepit)