Hamilton claims first as league celebrates ladies DAY

GIRLS TO THE FRONT: The Newcastle Dodgeball League dressed to the nines in pink to celebrate the competition's women, from shining Season 11 newcomers to long-standing tournament veterans.

Hamilton have claimed sole possession of first place in the Newcastle Dodgeball League after a near-perfect first half performance against arch-rivals Waratah as the competition celebrated its Women in Dodge round.
With pink ribbons, streamers, outfits, a handful of arm- and headbands and a few players kitted out in dresses and kilts, the league put on a pink show to celebrate the women of the competition, and then finally all eyes were on the Hamilton-Waratah derby.
One of the most interesting match-ups in recent weeks, especially considering Waratah had emerged 6-5 victors over the defending champions in the opening round, no one could have predicted such a one-sided opening eight rounds, as the Stags marched to a 7-1 lead that the Cobras weren't able to recover from.
Guided from the front by a resurgent Benjamin McIntyre, who transferred to Hamilton two weeks after their one-set defeat at the hands of Waratah, the premier-hopefuls moved three points clear at the top and set themselves in good stead for a tilt at the first-place bye seeding for the playoffs in less than two months.

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Elsewhere during the Women in Dodge Round, Belmont nearly fell to a strengthening Bar Beach, led by current MVP favourite Emma Hawes, eventually pulling ahead for an 8-5 win to move into third above now-fourth placed Waratah.
Hawes and the Boomers have not tasted victory in Season 11 of the NDL thus far, but their three-set defeat to last season's grand finalists continues to provide hope as the second round-robin of the campaign begins.
Also on Thursday evening, Kotara knocked off Raymond Terrace 12-7 in the equal highest set haul of the league's history, claiming their third win with guidance from Isaac Davis and Zac Oke. The fast-paced victory moves the Kings level with the Terrace, and puts them in striking range of the top four challengers.
Finally, Cooks Hill fell to a rampant Shortland - 13-4 - as the Scotchies continue to vie for a top two seed in their debut season in the league. Captain James Billingham was key for the Shortland squad in their high-ranking nine-set triumph that moves them into second place.

COMMANDING: Emma Hawes continues to impress in her rookie season in the NDL, collecting her fourth MVP nomination in just eight weeks of play. Picture: Eva Bailey

​STANDINGS: Hamilton (22), Shortland, Belmont, Waratah (20), Raymond Terrace, Kotara (14), Cooks Hill (10), Bar Beach (8).