Billingham Wolves pulled off an excellent victory in the English Under-19 North A League at Hull Ice Arena on Sunday.

Wolves with three points from two opening matches travelled to league leaders Kingston Predators who had maximum points from three games. Wolves took the lead through Stuart Gibbon at 04.07. Liam Telfer bagged a brace in 59 seconds as Billingham raced 3-0 ahead at 05.29.

Wolves pressed forward once more and struck twice more as James Udell and Gibbon with Billingham shot-handed made it 5-0 at 11.24. At which points Kingston changed netminders.

Richard Griffiths in Wolves' net was beaten two minutes later as Kingston struck their opening goal. Gibbon completed his hat-trick on the powerplay at 17.21 as Billingham ended the first period 5-1 ahead.

Kingston cut the deficit with goals in the 27th and 42nd minutes to go within two of Billingham. With ten minutes left Telfer became the second Wolves player to complete his hat-trick and Robert Dowd netted his side's eighth in the 55th minute.

The scoring was completed a minute later when Predators scored their fourth goal of the game. Netminder Richard Griffiths was Wolves' man of the match.

Wolves: Liam Telfer 3+1, Stuart Gibbon 3+0, Robert Dowd 1+2, James Udell 1+0, Andrew Thornton 0+3, Jamie Patterson 0+2, David Thompson 0+1.

Whitley Braves went to Blackburn Thunderhawks for a U19 North A League and came away pointless after a 6-1 defeat. The result did not bare a true reflection of the game as Braves outshot their hosts 49-24.

Blackburn netminder David Southee was in fine form as he thwarted Whitley's attempt to gain a foothold. The home side went ahead at 04.38 and had doubled their lead a minute later. It was 3-0 at the interval and Nick Rowe came on to replace Stephen Hoult in Braves' net.

There was only one goal in the second period which went Blackburn's way at 39.40 eventually beaten at 48.09 for Whitley's consolation goal from Ian Emerson. Two powerplay goals late in the game completed a 6-1 Blackburn victory.

Braves: Ian Emerson 1+0, Daniel Good 0+1.

Billingham Bears won their opening English U16 North A League game of the season with a 4-3 win at Sheffield Rapiers. Bears had no sooner began the match when they found themselves a goal behind.

Rapiers took the lead after only 51 seconds.

Sheffield took three minutes into the middle period to go 2-0 ahead. Billingham stepped up a gear and were rewarded two minutes from the end of the period with a goal from Matthew Bence.

The interval did not put Bears out of their stride but momentum carried on as Paul Smith levelled the match at 31.29. Adam Smith put Bears ahead for the first time at 33.21 and Paul Smith's second of the game at 34.47 made it 4-2 in favour of the Teessiders.

Sheffield reduced the deficit three minutes later to set up a thrilling nine minutes. Not deterred Bears kept going forward and defended stoutly for two valuable points.

Bears: Paul Smith 2+1, Adam Smith, Matthew Bence 1+0, Robert Dowd 0+3, Anthony Price 0+2.

Whitley Tomahawks played host to Blackburn Eagles in the U16 North A and were beaten 6-4. Eagles were 2-0 ahead before Mark Nicholson got Whitley's first. Daniel Harris grabbed Tomahawks' second by which time Blackburn led 4-1. It was 6-3 after two periods with Nathan Taylor on target for Whitley and the lead cut to two at 38.21 when Ben Moore found the net.

In the final minute Whitley's Alistair Brummitt 2+2+10 for attempted spearing as well as a five plus game misconduct for roughing. Blackburn lost their netminder also on a five plus game misconduct for roughing six minute earlier.

Tomahawks: Ben Moore 1+1, Mark Nicholson, Daniel Harris, Nathan Taylor 1+0, Jonathan Scott, Yiannis Metallunis 0+1.

Sunderland Commanches lost 4-2 at Nottingham Tigers in the Lace City in the English U14 North A League. The home side went ahead in the ninth minute and four minutes later led 3-0.

Commanches were short-handed when Grant Sharp opened their account at 18.41. On the same powerplay 18 seconds later Nottingham regained their three-goal cushion.

Jimmy Moutrey was on target with four minutes left to strike Commanches second goal of the game.

Commanches: Grant Sharp, Jimmy Moutrey 1+0, Ross Hanlon 0+2, Ross Cameron 0+1.

Billingham Falcons lost 15-0 at Sheffield against Sheffield Stormers in the U14 North A League. The first Stormers' goal came on 30 seconds and had reached 9-0 by the end of the first period.

Falcons changed netminders at 20.19 with Jayce Nunn coming on for Chris Snaith when the score was 12-0. Snaith had faced 36 shots, Nunn faced 31 in his time in the nets.

Also in the U14 North A Whitley Mohawks were in action and they lost 2-1 at Blackburn Kestrels. Kestrels went ahead when short-handed at 07.21 and on the same powerplay Bobby Mole equalised for Mohawks at 08.18.

Mohawks created many scoring chances, but were denied by Kestrels' netminder with some fine saves with four minutes to go kestrels hit a late winner.

Mohawks: Bobby Mole 1+0, Callum Watson 0+1.

Whitley Bay Squaws also had Blackburn opposition when they travelled for their women's division one North match against Thunder. Squaws got their season off to a fine start winning 8-1. Sarah Smith opened the scoring at 11.36.

Charlotte Willey (2), Kate Wilson and Sara Christie increased the lead to 5-0 with four goals in five minutes during the middle period. Christie scored her second two minutes into the final period before Willey struck her third and fourth goals of the game at 33.20 and 37.18 respectively. Squaws' netminder Karen Lockey lost her shut-out at 42.39 when Blackburn scored their consolation goal.

Elizabeth Mason made her Squaws debut at 43.09 coming on for Lockey.

Squaws: Charlotte Willey 4+2, Sara Christie 2+0, Katie Watson 1+2, Sarah Smith 1+1, Gabby Woodhouse, Victoria Wood, Helen Hughes 0+1.

* Five of Whitley Bay's young and up and coming players were up early on Sunday morning when they took part in the junior Great North Run to raise funds for the club. Josh Maddock Andrew, Terrance, Harry Harley, Liam Brown and Paris Lloyd. Josh Maddock's mother Melanie organised it and ran with them. The youngsters would like to thank Melanie for her worthwhile efforts.

English National Hockey League North Cup

Whitley Warriors tasted defeat for the first time this season when losing a thrilling cup tie 7-6 at Hillheads against Sheffield Scimitars. Andrew Tindale put Warriors ahead in the fourth minute before Sheffield went into a 3-1 lead at 24.42.

Two goals in three minutes from Daniel Good and Adrian Huggins tied the scores. Scimitars went 6-3 ahead only for a battling Warriors to come back for 6-6 with goals in the 57th minute from Ben Campbell and Lee Baxter. However, Sheffield snatched victory with a Neil Abel strike at 57.31 on the powerplay.

Penalties cost Whitley points not for the first time. Raymond Haslam received his marching orders for spearing in the first period and a number of minor penalties allowing Sheffield three powerplay goals.

Warriors: Lee Baxter 1+1, Robert Wilson, Ben Campbell, Adrian Huggins, Andrew Tindale 1+0, Dale Howey, Paul Graham 0+1.

Tomorrow's fixtures

Findus Challenge cup: Newcastle KBS Vipers v Bracknell Bees (6.30pm).

English National Hockey League North: Grimsby Buffaloes v Billingham Bombers (5pm).

Women's Premier League: Sunderland Scorpions v Kingston Diamonds (12 noon) at Telewest Arena.

English U16 North A League: Billingham Bears v Blackburn Eagles (4.30pm).

English U14 North A League: Billingham Falcons v Blackburn Kestrels (2.30pm)

Sunday's fixtures

Findus Challenge Cup: Newcastle KBS Vipers v Edinburgh Capitals (6pm).

English National Hockey League North: Billingham Bombers v Blackburn Hawks (6.15pm); Whitley Warriors v Sunderland Chiefs (6.30pm)

Women's Premier League: Sunderland Scorpions v Sheffield Shadows (12 noon) at Telewest Arena.

English U19 North A League: Nottingham Leopards v Billingham Wolves (7.15pm).

English U10 North League: Whitley Bay Mischiefs v Kingston River Rats (12.15)

Under-10 Challenge: Nottingham Colts v Sunderland Apaches (5.30pm).