Junior round-up

Billingham Wolves' unbeaten start in the English U-19 North A League continued at the weekend, gaining a fourth successive victory by defeating Sheffield Steelhawks 7-2 at Queen's Road ice rink.

Wolves lost Tom Griffiths with a dislocated shoulder in the opening minutes of the game.

Sheffield went ahead after 10 minutes on a powerplay. Wolves broke their duck as they scored on the powerplay in the final minute of the first period through Stephen Wallace.

Philip Pritchard gave Wolves the lead at 21:21 which was stretched to 3-1 with a Richie Thornton strike five minutes later. Before the half way stage the home side reduced the lead with a short-handed effort.

Wolves, in control of the game, went 5-2 ahead following a brace from Wallace at 47:45 and 48:43 to complete a hat-trick.

Steelhawks were in trouble late in the game with a string of minor penalties.

They paid the price as twice they had players in the penalty box and Wolves scored from five on three powerplays, Andrew Wells and Wallace the marksmen at 52:32 and 59:28 respectively.

Wolves scorers: Stephen Wallace 4+0, Richie Thornton 1+3, Philip Pritchard 1+2, Andrew Wells 1+0, Scott Ward 0+3, Andrew Thornton 0+1.

Billingham's three weekend games were called off, including the clash between two sides boasting 100 per cent records in the English National Hockey League North, Eagles and Altrincham Aces, because the compressor at Billingham Forum ice rink failed.

Sunderland Arrows' dismal run continues in English Junior (U-16) North A League. On Saturday they came up against unbeaten leaders Sheffield Rapiers and the home side got off to a flying start, taking a 3-0 lead inside six minutes. It was 5-0 before the first period had been completed and further increased to 8-0 after two sessions.

Arrows deadlock was broken at 35:15 through Nathan Forster in less than two minutes. Sheffield restored the eight-goal lead and completed the scoring with five minutes remaining for a 10-1 victory.

Arrows: Nathan Forster 1+0.

Whitley Bay Mischiefs should have entertained Kingston River Rats at English U-10 level but the match was played as a challenge as Whitley did not have the minimum number of players required. Mischiefs borrowed two from Kingston.

River Rats went ahead only for Nathan Salem to equalise on the two minute mark. Kingston responded to go 5-1 ahead at the interval. Mischiefs rallied and struck four goals in as many minutes from Stephanie Towns, Sam Beets (guest from Kingston), Callum Watson and Salem by 25:51. Salem scored his hat-trick marker at 31:27 for 6-6. The visitors bagged a further two in 25 seconds and three in less than a minute brought them an 11-6 victory.

A very entertaining match played in an excellent spirit.

Mischiefs: Nathan Salem 3+1, Callum Watson 1+3, Sam Beets 1+1, Stephanie Towns 1+0, Bobby Mole, Joseph Royle 0+1.

Sarah Christie (2) and Sophie Bell put Whitley Bay Squaws 3-1 ahead at Telfore Wrekin Raiders in Women's Division North but had to be satisfied with a point from a 3-3 draw