Cardiff player-coach Nick Tomlinson has lauded the efforts of Izaac Hughes following an eight-goal haul in Saturday's 78-point win against neighbouring rivals Warners Bay at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
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Hughes kicked majors in each quarter, featuring three in the first, as the Hawks (16.14-110) overcame the Bulldogs (4.8-32) in round 10 of the men's Black Diamond Cup.
Tomlinson said "no one can go with him in the air" as Hughes reached 31 goals for the 2020 campaign. His previous best personal tally this year was five in the season opener. He also landed four last start.
"His [Hughes] set shots were much improved and he allowed for the cross breeze really well," Tomlinson said.
"No one can go with him in the air. No one. He's just got a giant leap.
"And he runs and chases with immense closing speed and gets himself free kicks."
Cardiff (18) are now outright sixth on the competition ladder but can no longer make the finals, 10 points outside the top four with two rounds remaining. Warners Bay (14) are four points back in seventh.
Last time the teams met on August 1 the Hawks gave up a 40-point lead in an 87-all draw with the Bulldogs at Feighan Oval.
Elsewhere on Saturday fifth-placed Nelson Bay (20) kept the semis door slightly ajar with Aaron Crouch, Louis Dews, captain-coach Craig Bird and Noah Connick combining for a collective 15 majors. The Marlins (21.14-140) thumped the Saints (3.4-22) at Maitland's Max McMahon Oval.
Killarney Vale (28) maintained their eight-point advantage in fourth spot by accounting for Wyong Lakes, who opened new facilities at the club's headquarters at Don Small Oval.
"We made it a lot harder than it should have been. Worst game we have played in a long time but we got the points," Killarney Vale coach Corey Shackleton said after the Bombers (8.11-59) beat the Magpies (6.4-40).
Singleton caught Newcastle City (32) in equal second with player-coach Jed Ellis-Cluff landing five goals as the Roosters (10.9-39) turned a 17-point deficit into a 30-point win against Gosford (6.3-39).
The Panthers (12.9-81) have all-but wrapped up a fourth straight minor premiership after getting the job done against the Blues (7.7-49) at Warners Bay.
In the women's division Killarney Vale, City, Cardiff and Wyong Lakes all recorded victories on Saturday.
MEN'S LADDER: Terrigal Avoca 40; Newcastle City, Singleton 32; Killarney Vale 28; Nelson Bay 20; Cardiff 18; Warners Bay 14; Gosford 12; Wyong Lakes 4; Maitland 0.
WOMEN'S LADDER: Killarney Vale 40; Newcastle City 36; Cardiff 28; Terrigal Avoca 20; Wyong Lakes 16; Warners Bay 12; Maitland 8; Nelson Bay-Port Stephens 0.
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IN THE NEWS:
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
