Dream run over as Hawks fall short

Not all fairytales have that famous happy ending, and while the Wollongong Hawks can be extremely proud of their stunning season, it didn't finish quite as they had hoped, when they stumbled in the deciding game of the NBL Championship series last night in Perth.

Having levelled the series level last Tuesday, the Hawks were hoping to add to their only NBL title that was won in 2001. But last night at Challenge Stadium, after sticking with the Wildcats for the best part of the first three quarters, it was a stunning 17-2 run to close out that term that set up the 96-72 victory for the home team.

Perth's title success sees the club - coached by former Sydney Spirit coach Rob Beveridge - become the most successful in the NBL's 32-season history, with last night's championship win their fifth, having previously won in 1990, 1991, 1995, and 2000.

That Wollongong even made it to round one let alone the final game of the season is remarkable. Only 13 months ago the club was declared dead, only to be revived by the ''Save the Hawks'' campaign initiated by team captain Mat Campbell. Not only did they make it for this season, Campbell's efforts ensured the only foundation club remaining in the NBL will be around for some time.

It was always going to be difficult for the Hawks. While they dominated at home during the season, winning 16 of their 17 games, they won just three times from 17 attempts on the road.

And then there was the bogey of Perth, with Wollongong now having lost their last nine games in Western Australia dating back to 2005.

While the first two games in the series had been dour defensive struggles, the two teams turned on the entertainment for the sold-out crowd, and with big man Cameron Tragardh, and his team shooting at a staggering 71 per cent, it was the visitors who led at the first break, 31-25.

When the Hawks opened with the first five points of the second term to lead by 11, the venue fell silent, and the home side looked rattled. Then Perth outscored the Hawks 13-2, to suddenly draw scores level - the game was back on - and it continued that way until half-time where Wollongong led 48-47.

The lead changed 11 times in the third term before the Wildcats - led by import Kevin Lisch - applied the pressure at both ends of the floor and it soon translated to points, and the scoreboard went from 61-61 to 78-63 at the final break.

From there the Hawks were never going to be allowed back into the game, and all that really remained over the final 10 minutes was determining the final margin, and starting the celebrations.

- © Fairfax NZ News