Friday's game against the Be Active Perth Wheelcats, saw the Shellharbour City Stadium full of anticipation and excitement, ahead of the top of the ladder clash between the Wollongong Roller Hawks and the Perth Wheelcats, and with the minor premiership up for grabs, it was shaping up to be the game of the season. A game that saw the Wollongong Roller Hawks defeat the 5 times NWBL Champions at home for the second year in a row!
Perth, with the help of Australian Rollers Captain Brad Ness, was in great form heading over to Wollongong with a 7-0 undefeated record for the 2011 season. The game was dubbed as the championship replay which started off with all guns blazing with the Wheelcats Taking the first quarter 25-20, neither team disappointed as they had the crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire first half as they traded baskets. Perth found it hard to contain the big combination of Knowles, Stibners and Russell whilst Wollongong had difficulties trying to slow Perth’s big man, Brad Ness. The teams went into the major break all tied up at 46 - 46.
The third quarter proved to be the game winner for the home team as the Roller Hawks regrouped and its full court press started to pay dividends. The Roller Hawks went into the final break with a 13 point lead. They did not slow down in the last pulling away to eventually win 109 - 90.
