Billingham Wolves' 100 per cent record came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten 3-1 by Sheffield Steelhawks at the Forum Ice Arena.

The Teessiders had won their previous two encounters which included a 2-1 win over Steelhawks in Sheffield.

Another close encounter brought no goals in the opening period with Wolves having a little more of the play. Sheffield broke the deadlock at 32.28 and two minutes later doubled their advantage. Billingham cut the deficit with their sixth powerplay of the game with James McCable on target with one second remaining in the second period.

Sheffield stepped up a gear in the final period as they looked to increase their advantage. Wolves netminder Michael Snook had other ideas and thwarted their attempts on goal. Wolves could not score at the other end, but Sheffield wrapped up the victory with a third goal at 52.49.

Wolves: James McCabe 1+0, Jamie Pattison, Scott Ward 0+1.

Sunderland Arrows dropped their first point in three outings in the English Under-16 North B League in a 1-1 draw at Solihull Sabres. Arrows, who defeated Solihull at the Telewest Arena two months ago went ahead on the powerplay at 06.13 through Shane Hewitt. It was a lead they kept until the 30th minute when Sabres equalised, only the second goal Sunderland have conceded this season.

Two evenly matched sides ended with points shared from a 1-1 draw.

Arrows: Shane Hewitt 1+0, Jamie Smithson 0+1.

Sunderland Commanches were 3-0 visitors at Hillheads against Whitley Mohawks in the English Under-14 North A League. Commanches got off to the perfect start taking the lead after only 33 seconds through Ross Cameron at the far post unmarked.

Mohawks had their opportunities to draw level but found Commanches netminder Mark Thurman in fine form. Daniel Murdy increased Commanches lead with a second goal after 12 minutes.

The middle period was goalless with both netminders on their toes to stop the goals. Murdy's second goal of the game in the 35th minute wrapped up Sunderland victory. A league double for Sunderland after a 2-1 win at the Telewest Arena two months ago.

Commanches: Daniel Murdy 2+0, Ross Cameron 1+0, James Moutrey 0+1.

The previous day Commanches travelled to meet Sheffield Stormers in a challenge match. Sheffield's strong squad brushed aside Commanches 20-1. Stormers went 3-0 ahead inside five minutes and Daniel Murdy pulled a goal back at 07.31. Sheffield ended the first period 6-1 ahead and added six and eight in the second and third periods respectively for victory.

Commanches: Daniel Murdy 1+0, Nathan Salem 0+1.

Billingham Falcons are still without a point after suffering a 12-0 defeat away at Nottingham Tigers in Under-14 North A League. Because of adverse weather conditions Billingham arrived late and the match was played two x 20 minutes running periods.

Tigers went ahead in the fifth minute when short-handed and ran in a further seven by the end of the first period. Four more were added in the final period. Falcons' under-strength squad put up a brave performance.

Billingham Pumas were involved in an entertaining English Under-12 North B League encounter against Birmingham Rockets at the Forum Ice Arena. Despite out-shooting Birmingham Pumas were beaten 3-5.

Rockets went 2-0 ahead in the opening seven minutes only for Robert Heale and Jonathan Galloway to hit back for Pumas to tie the scores at 2-2 five minutes later.

The only goal of the middle period went the way of Billingham with Matthew Keeley giving them the lead at 26.31. Two goals in under a minute gave Rockets back the lead nine minutes later.

With time running out and Pumas looking for an equaliser, Birmingham struck a fifth in the final minute.

Pumas: Robert Heale, Jonathan Galloway, Matthew Keeley 1+0, Scott Cooper, Alex Atkinson 0+1.

Billingham Coyotes were in local derby action when Whitley Bay Mischiefs visited for an Under-10 challenge. Kate Ord gave Mischiefs a third minute lead and Joe Watson equalised for Coyotes at 17.03.

Mischiefs went 4-1 ahead with three goals in six minutes from Adam Perrie (2) and third Joe Watson scored his and Coyotes second after 36 minutes.

Coyotes: Joe Watson 2+0.

Mischiefs: Kate Ord, Adam Perrie 2+0.

Sunderland Apaches lost 3-2 at Blackburn Merlins in an Under-10 Challenge. Apaches were 2-0 ahead inside 11 minutes with goals from Emma Hall and Dale Sharp. Blackburn replied with three goals in eight minutes in the final period.

Apaches: Emma Hall, Dale Sharp 1+0, Alex Lawson 0+1.

English National Hockey League North

Billingham Bombers lost their second successive match going down 6-3 at Flintshire Freeze. Bombers had Iain Buchanen making his debut and went ahead through Garry Dowd at 06.44. Freeze drew level before the first break and went 3-1 ahead on 25.07.

Stuart Gibbon reduced the deficit at 37.40 only for Freeze to restore their two-goal lead a minute later. Paul Windridge cut the deficit with four minutes gone. In the final period Flintshire were on target in the 48th minute to put them two goals clear. In the final minute the scoring was wrapped up with Freeze's sixth goal.

Bombers: Garry Dowd 1+1, Stuart Gibbon, Paul Windridge 1+0, Andrew Fletcher, Martin Lewis 0+1.

Whitley Warriors were in Northern Cup action at Blackburn Hawks and came away with a point from a 5-5 draw.

A great recovery as they trailed 2-5 with ten minutes to go. Dale Howey netted Whitley's third at 51-31 and when short-handed Andrew Robinson cut the deficit at 55.55.

Bryan Dunn gave his side a point with his hat-trick marker with 01.24 remaining. Earlier Dunn's two early goals put Whitley 2-1 ahead after 28 minutes. Three goals in the final five minutes of the middle period put Hawks 4-2 ahead.

Andrew Robinson's goal was his first for the club after joining from Sunderland Chiefs in September.

Warriors: Bryan Dunn 3+0, Dale Howey, Andrew Robinson 1+0, Andrew Carter 0+2, Lee Baxter 0+1.

Tomorrow's fixtures

English National Hockey League North: Billingham Bombers v Bradford Bulldogs (6.30pm).

English Premier League Cup North: Peterborough Phantoms v Whitley Warriors (6.30pm).

English Under-16 North A League: Sheffield Rapiers v Billingham Bears (5pm).

English Under-12 North A League: Kingston Rivermen v Whitley Bay Arrows (12.15pm).

Under-10 North Challenge: Altrincham Spitfires v Sunderland Apaches (4.50pm).

Women's Division One North: Blackburn Thunder v Whitley Bay Squaws (4.45pm).

Sunday's fixtures

Findus British National League: Solihull MK Kings v Newcastle KBS Vipers (6pm).

English National Hockey League North: Blackburn Hawks v Sunderland Chiefs (6pm).

English Under-19 North A League: Kingston Predators v Billingham Wolves (4.45pm); Whitley Braves v Nottingham Leopards (6.30pm).

English Under-14 North A League: Billingham Falcons v Sunderland Commanches (6pm).

English Under-16 North A League: Whitley Tomahawks v Nottingham Cougars (12.30pm).