NBL1 finals: Ringwood’s great season comes to an end with semi-final loss to Nunawading

Ringwood’s NBL season had been an impressive one for a small club against the giants. But, over the weekend, the finals pressure cooker told and the Lady Hawks were grounded.

Megan Mullings carried the load for the Hawks against Nunawading on Sunday. (Picture: Kath Miles)

The Ringwood Lady Hawks’ impressive NBL1 season ended on Sunday afternoon as a red hot Nunawading Spectres won a semi-final clash between the two eastern suburbs rivals by 24 points at The Rings.

After losing on Saturday night in Geelong, 78-63, the Lady Hawks returned home and hosted the Spectres who have been in sparkling form.

Fighting for survival, Ringwood quickly found that finals can be a different beast.

The Spectres nailed their first six shots while the Hawks continued to turn over the ball.

The Hawks’ situation went from bad to worse late in the first quarter when Megan Mullings picked up a second early foul and was sent to the bench.

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Tim Mottin and his Lady Hawks were impressive this season. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

With Toni Farnworth slowed by illness, the Hawks could not match the visitors, who built a 20-point lead.

By halftime the Hawks had managed to work their way into the contest but were still unable to put a dint in the Spectres’ lead of 21 at the long break.

“They just shot the ball remarkably well,” Hawks coach Tim Mottin said. “It felt like every shot they took they made.”

The Spectres’ hot shooting continued in the third quarter, thanks to Maddie Garrick and Kathleen Scheer, and at one stage they were shooting at a remarkable 83 per cent from the field.

Another Nunawading run put to rest any hopes the Hawks had of pinching a win as the lead ballooned to 30.

Mullings kept the score ticking over but Nunawading cruised to a 97-73 win and a preliminary final against Kilsyth this week.

“It was a tough end but a great season by the girls.” Mottin said “Really proud of our third-place finish in the regular season but we just ran into two teams that are health and playing their best.”

The Lady Hawks will now look to 2020 and build on what they achieved this season.

“We need to improve in a few areas but we know we are more than capable of competing against the best.” Mottin said.