They’ve done it!  Easi-RockIts HellCats won their final two matches of the season to win the first Rock-It-Ball League in style with a 100% record.  With captain Adam Rawcliffe, Lucy Tate and Lucie Everard unavailable it was down to the remaining five members of the squad, vice-captain Chloe Mitchell, Chris Durrant, Jonathan Cooper, Callum Watt and James Lawrance to fight their way through two tough fixtures against Tees Valley Spartans and 2487 Jets without any chance of replacement at the breaks.

They’ve done it!  Easi-RockIts HellCats won their final two matches of the season to win the first Rock-It-Ball League in style with a 100% record.  With captain Adam Rawcliffe, Lucy Tate and Lucie Everard unavailable it was down to the remaining five members of the squad, vice-captain Chloe Mitchell, Chris Durrant, Jonathan Cooper, Callum Watt and James Lawrance to fight their way through two tough fixtures against Tees Valley Spartans and 2487 Jets without any chance of replacement at the breaks.

Tees Valley Spartans have improved tremendously under the stewardship of coach Craig Buttery and have fought their way up the table.  Brimming with confidence they were keen to beat the HellCats to overhaul Easi-RockIts HellFighters and move into second place.  The HellCats made a slow start and were surprised at the ferocity of the Spartans’ attack but managed to finish the first quarter only one point behind.   Regrouping in the break the HellCats played a much more considered game in the second quarter taking control and going into half time 18 points ahead.   However the Spartans are not called Spartans for nothing and fought back hard after half time taking the third quarter by 5 points and thus reducing the deficit somewhat.  For the final quarter the HellCats simply moved up a gear and took the final quarter by 17 points giving them a total comfortable victory  of 138 points to 108.

After a short break the HellCats faced 2487 Jets in a match that moved the League full circle – HellCats vs Jets was the fixture that kicked off the whole Rock-It-Ball League.  Like the Spartans, the Jets have made massive strides over the season and were seeking revenge for the defeat in the first match.  With the HellCats clearly tired this was the ideal time to cause an upset – but it was not to be.  The first quarter was close with the HellCats winning by one point; however in the second and third quarters they took complete control and finished the third quarter with a comfortable lead of 20 points.  Jets leaders Carl Alsop and Tom Hildreth were driving their team on and managed to take the final quarter but it wasn’t enough to clear the deficit and a weary HellCats team could celebrate making history in real style.

And what about the HellFighters?  As Tees Valley Spartans were unable to capitalise on their game in hand HellFighters remain in second place despite a difficult finish to the season and make it an Easi 1-2 in the first Rock-It-Ball League.

Immediately after the last fixtures players and families of the teams adjourned to Newton on Ouse for the presentation of the League awards and to celebrate the success of the league with a post-league party.

Easi Coach Paul Hildreth said: “those were great games to watch.  I think that is the best I have seen the Jets play – and they ran the HellCats closer than anyone else has done.  I’m delighted for my HellCats.  They have turned in superb, consistent performances.  HellFighters had to rebuild towards the end of the season but the work we put in earlier paid dividends.  Easingwold should be very proud of both teams.”