Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Hornets

Line-up: Phil C, Ross, Beau, Murray, Adam, Luke, Phil S (visit player stats)

Round 5, 2005 Winter Season

Wednesday, 25th May 2005

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Rivalry revived as Hornets push Hulkamaniacs all the way.

BENDIGO (AP).

The Hulkamaniacs have withstood a furious second half Hornets challenge on Wednesday night, for their second consecutive victory - in a match that has rekindled the rivalry between two division 2 warhorses.

The Hulkamaniacs went into the match heavy favourites to win - and win big.  In their last 5 encounters dating back to 2004, the Hulkamaniacs have recorded 5 wins with a cumulative margin of 228 points - an average winning margin of 45.6 points.

The match went to script in the opening minutes, with Phil C opening his account early, with plenty of transactions to come - based on his early 2005 season form, averaging 16.3 points per game.  Beau followed this by getting himself also involved offensively, coming off a troublesome finger complaint that had hampered his play in recent weeks.

Through the play of Phil C and Beau, the Hulkamaniacs had established a solid early lead, but had been met with much more resistance than in previous matches between the two teams.  The Hornets, with a rejuvenated line-up compared to seasons past, were much more willing to run with the Hulkamaniacs, more than matching their more fancied opponents when running the floor.

With the lead bridging 10 points and climbing, Murray, Luke and Adam got on the board as the Hulkamaniacs looked to establish a potential match-winning margin at the half.  However, when Adam confronted a referee regarding a questionable decision, it drew two technical fouls resulting in Adam's quick removal from the game (permenantly).  A string of free throws followed, bring the Hornets back into the contest, finding themselves trailing by only 8 points with a half to play.

At the start of the second half, the Hornets (perhaps on the back on their solid closing to the first half) suddenly had all the momentum and were full of running.  The Hulkamaniacs were finding it increasingly difficult to break the game open, and for the first time in a few years, the Hornets had some self-belief in their game.

Before the Hulkamaniacs could barely blink, in only a matter of minutes - the Hornets knocked down three consecutive 3-point field goals, to come within only a solitary field goal of taking the lead in the contest, with plently of time still left to cause a massive upset.

Suddenly facing a huge challenge they had rarely experienced in past encounters with the Hornets - the Hulkamaniacs responded - with an even scoring contribution seeing five out of 6 available Hulkamaniacs players getting involved offensively, to kick-start their second half.

Two quick 3-point field goals by Luke gave the Hulkamaniacs a handy buffer once more, with Phil C adding another basket of his own soon after to continue another impressive performance, building on his 13-point first half. 

A further 3-point field goal again from Luke and a late field goal by Beau sealed the contest, as the Hulkamaniacs reached a new level of maturity to fight back from a opressing situation in the second half, fighting back to secure an all-important win.

The final score was 47-36.

Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C with 19, Luke 12, Beau 9, Murray, Adam and Phil S 2 each and Ross 1.

Another stellar performance from Phil C sees him continue his career-best season, taking his average points per game after 5 games to 16.8ppg.  Another positive for the Hulkamaniacs was the return to form of Luke, who hit 12 points, whilst Beau also poured in 9 points - an encouraging sign he is finding his best game again following injury.

Next week, the Hulkamaniacs play the Throwbacks at 9:20pm.  It will be a solid test for the 2-0 Hulkamaniacs.  The Hulkamaniacs would be expected to win this one, but tonight's game against the Hornets proves that no opposition can be taken lightly.

Game notes.

This was the 13th game between the Hulkamaniacs and the Hornets… The Hulkamaniacs now have a 9W-3L-1D record against the Hornets, including winning their past 6 matches between the two teams… There were no major scoring or games milestones this week… Phil C continues his latest streak of 10+ point games, sitting on 5 after tonight… Phil S's 84 points in the opening 5 games of this season, is second only to his previous record opening to a season - recorded in 2004 when he scored 96 points in his first 5 games, at an average of 19.2ppg… Phil C finished the 2004 season average 13.5ppg… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more.

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