Sunderland Scorpions still with three matches to play to complete their Women's Premier League season have won this seasons' title following a 3-2 victory over Guildford Lightning at Newcastle Arena.

Guildford along with Kingston Diamonds were Scorpions main rivals for the title and with the win means that they cannot be caught.

A keenly fought contest brought no goals in the opening period with both both defences on top. The breakthrough came at 26.04 on the powerplay with a strike from Heather McDermott. Lightning drew level 58 seconds later.

Scorpions did not take too long in regaining their lead as Helen Stowe was on target twice at 28.15 and 29.21 for a 3-1 lead. Guildford could have ended the second period further behind but for some fine net-minding by Mark Austen.

Halfway through the final period Guildford cut the deficit to one at 50.18. Scorpions called a time-out at this time and they themselves could have restored a two-goal lead. With 53 seconds remaining Guildford called a time-out as they attempted to snatch a last gasp goal failed to happen as Sunderland held on for a 3-2 win and another title.

Scorpions scorers: Helen Stone 2+1, Heather McDermott 1+0, Lynsey Emmerson 0+3, Claire Oldfield 0+2.

In Women's Division One North Whitley Bay Squaws had another comfortable win defeating neighbours Billingham Wildcats 10-1 at Hillheads. Squaws in second place were kept scoreless until 9.42 when Gabby Woodhouse opened the scoring and four minutes later it was 4-0 as Becky Kasner, Katie Watson and Sarah Smith found the net.

Charlotte Willey Kasner and Sara Christie increased Squaws lead to 7-0 by the end of the second period. Smith scored her second of the game on the powerplay two minutes into the final period. Sarah Barnett added the ninth and Wildcats consolation goals was scored at 44.08 from Stephanie Box. It was the first goal conceded by netminder Karen Lockey in four matches. Whitley have won seven and drawn one of their last eight matches conceding only six goals.

Squaws scorers: Sara Christie and Becky Kasner 2+1, Sarah Smith 2+0, Charlotte Willey 1+2, Gabby Woodhouse and Sarah Barnett 1+1, Katie Watson 1+0, Helen Jackson 0+1.

Billingham Pumas overcame Sheffield Swamp Frogs 4-0 in English Under 12 North "B" League at Forum Ice Arena. Pumas went into the lead after only fifty seconds through Robert Heale with the only goal of the first period.

James Moss struck a second on the powerplay a minute into the second period. A third goal followed with Pumas second powerplay opportunity from Joe Watson at 34.45. In less than a minute Josh Goodrick put the home side 4-0 ahead.

Thomas Bence and James McGill sharing a fifteen shot shut-out.

The win giving Billingham at least second place and into the promotion/relegation play-offs.

Flintshire and Billingham from North "B" face Blackburn and Whitley Mowhaks in those play-offs. Pumas have Grimsby Ghosts to play on April 10 as final North "B" league tie.

Pumas scorers: Robert Heale, James Moss, Joe Watson and Josh Goodrick 1+0.

Sunderland Commanches completed their English Under 14 North "A" League programme with two games at the weekend., On Saturday at Newcastle Arena Commanches hosted Whiltley Mowhawks and got off to a flying start. Nathan Salem scoring twice for a 2-0 lead at 6.31,

Mowhawks pulled a goal back with a Jamie Tinsley effort on the powerplay four minutes later. No goals in the middle session and the two goal advantage was restored with a Danny Lamb strike at 30.50.

Tinsley's second also on the powerlay with two minutes left Commanches holding out for two points while Mowhaks should escape relegation play-offs.

Telford Venom hosted Commanches the next day wining 3-1. Venom led 3-0 before Grant Sharp's late score in the 39th minutes.

Commanches scorers (v Whitley): Nathan Salem 2+0, Danny Lamb 1+0, Grant Sharp 0+3, Graeme Robson 0-+1. (v Telford): Sharp 1+0, Lamb and Callum Pattison 0+1.

Sunderland Mohicans lost 0-2 at Newcastle Arena to Flintshire Hurricanes in English Under 14 North "B" League. Mohicans denied Hurricanes until 34.23 after they themselves could not score. Flintshire made certain of victory with a second at 37.46.

Sunderland Arrows were also at Telford on Sunday. In English Under 16 North "A" League Telford Rockets went ahead in the fifth minute and Jeremy Lundin equalised three minutes later.

Telford led 4-1 before Lundin's second on the powerplay at 37.53. Rockets completed a 5-2 win with a last minute goal.

Arrows scorers: Jeremy Lundin 2+0, Richard Westgarth 0+1.

Whitley Bay Mischiefs hosted Telford Venom in an English Under 10 North Match at Hillheads. A strong Telford squad led 6-0 at the interval and was 8-0 ahead when Andrew Cook opened Whitley's account at 25.04.

Harry Harley struck a late second consolation goal in the 38th minute as Telford won 14-2.

Mischiefs scorers: Andrew Cook and Harry Harley 1+0.

This weekend sees the 21st year of Hockey UK Junior Tournament held in Kirkcaldy, Fife and played over three weekends at different levels. It is Under 14 and Under 16 levels this weekend and Sunderland will be competing at both age groups.

Under-10s and Seniors next weekend and 12s and 19s the week after. Local North East participation sees Under 10 (Sunderland and Whitley Bay), Under 12 (Billingham, Sunderland and Whitley Bay), Under 19 (Sunderland).

England Under-19s will meet Scotland Under-19s at National Ice Arena, Nottingham on Sunday at 11 am as part of the Elite League Finals weekend.

Billingham Bomber and Newcastle Viper Andrew Thornton and Sunderland Chief Michael Allinson are in the England squad as is Billingham defenceman Steve Pritchard.

Fixtures

TODAY: Hockey UK 2004 at Kirkcaldy: Under-14: Slough v Sunderland 7 pm; Under 16: Slough v Sunderland 8.20 pm; Under 14 Sunderland v Aberdeen 9.20 pm.; Under 16: Sunderland v North Ayr 10 pm.

TOMORROW: Hockey UK 2004: Under 14: Comet (Norway) v Sunderland 9.50; Under 16 Fife v Sunderland 12.10; Under 14: Kirkcaldy v Sunderland 2.30; Under 16: Sunderland v Aberdeen 3.50.

Sunday: Under 19 International: England v Scotland 11 am. at The National Ice Centre, Nottingham.

English Under 16 North "A" League: Whitley Tomahawks v Sheff. Rapiers 12.15 pm

Hockey UK 2004: Under-14: Osby (Sweden) v Sunderland 8.50 am; Under 16: Kiruna (Sweden) v Sunderland 11.10 a.m. Under 14 1st Semi-Final 12.10, 2nd Semi-Final 12.50. Under 16: 1st Semi-Final 1.50, 2nd Semi-Final 2.30. Under 14 Final 3.30; Under 16 Final 4.50.