Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Dwarfz

Line-up: Beau, Ross, Murray, Adam, Luke, Simon (visit player stats)

Round 11, 2005 Winter Season

Wednesday, 20th July 2005

[ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ]

Hulkamaniacs win second in a row to consolidate finals position.

BENDIGO (AP).

The Hulkamaniacs have won their second match in a row, defeating the Dwarfz on Wednesday night to climb into second position on the division 2 ladder.

The win consolidates the Hulkamaniacs spot in the top 4, and provides the team with an opportunity to secure a top 2 finish with just 5 rounds remaining before the finals.  The top 4 appears set,  with the current fourth place team - Bomb Squad -  now three games clear of 5th position -  the Throwbacks.

With Phil C an unfortunate late withdrawal from the match due to illness, and Phil S out of town due to work commitments, the game against the Dwarfz loomed very much as a danger game - but the Hulkamaniacs showed quickly from the outset that they are clearly not a 1-man team.

Murray, having a career season, set the tone with his agressive driving to the basket, with reliable support from both Beau and Simon, who was called in again this week to continue his impressive first season with the Hulkamaniacs franchise.

Ross, having been an important contributor all over the floor this season, enjoyed his best game offensively for over a season, but also created opportunities for his team-mates with his constant running of the floor and hustle defence.  Adam continued the offensive barrage, hitting a couple of consecutive lay-ups in traffic to extend the Hulkamaniacs lead.

By half-time, the Hulkamaniacs had extended the margin to 17 points, with Murray and Beau the main destroyers scoring 19 of the teams 33 points over the first 20 minutes.  The Dwarfz managed 16 points by the half, but failed to take advantage of their height and the absence of Hulkamaniacs 3-time MVP, Phil C.

At the beginning of the second half, the Hulkamaniacs continued their onslaught.  Adam and Luke connected on three-point field goals to build a formidable lead, when it looked as if the Hulkamaniacs were going to run away for a record victory.

Ross carried on from his impressive first half, with a succession of baskets, combining well with Beau, Adam and Simon to keep the Hulkamaniacs on top.

The Dwarfz found a second wind in the middle stages of the second half, with their shots finally starting to drop, preventing a run-away Hulkamaniacs victory - bring the margin back to a respectable total by full-time.

The final score was 60-40.

An impressive team effort and 20-point victory without the two Phil's is a terrific building block as the Hulkamaniacs prepare for their fourth consecutive finals campaign in just over a months time.

Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Beau with 17, Adam 14, Ross 12, Murray 8, Simon 6 and Luke 3.

Next week, the Hulkamaniacs (6W-2L) come up against the Hornets (1W-7L).  Despite their win-loss record, the Hornets are a much improved team this season - with a percentage of 79% indicating that when they lose, they aren't losing big - as may have been the case in previous seasons.   The Hulkamaniacs have won 10 matches all-time against the Hornets,  with only two losses.  Will this dominance continue?

Be sure to stay tuned to the Hulkamaniacs website for all the news and results!

MVP Standings: Phil C (73.5), Beau (46.0), Murray (35.0), Luke (31.0), Ross (26.0), Adam (21.5), Simon (11.5), Phil S (7.0).

Game notes.

This is the Hulkamaniacs 4th win from 5 games against the Dwarfz (the other result was a draw), and the 50th all-time win for the Hulkamaniacs… The Hulkamaniacs have moved to second spot on the ladder after tonight's win… Ross scored 12 points tonight, his best this season and equal best effort since just his second Hulkamaniacs game in 2004/05… Murray has averaged 10.0ppg over the last 3 games (30 points), his best three game stretch offensively for the Hulkamaniacs… Adam's 14 points tonight is his equal best this season so far… Beau's 17 is his second best performance this season, having scored 18 points against Silence in round 1… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more.

[ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ]