Billingham Bears began their English Under 16 North A league campaign with a comfortable 7-0 victory at Blackburn Eagles the game was won in the opening period with Bears out-shooting their hosts 29-2 and having a 4-0 lead.

Bears scorers: James Udell 3+1, James Telfer 2+0, Adam Smith and Anthony Price 1+0, Robert Dowd 0+3, John Elkins, Paul Smith and Michael Farn 0+1.

Whitley Tomahawks lost for the second time in a week to Sheffield Rapiers in Under 16 North A League. A 13-1 reversal at Hillheads was followed by a 20-0 defeat in South Yorks. Whitley Mohawks won for the first time in three outings this season in English Under 14 North A following a 10-2 victory over Birmingham Rockets at Hillheads. Mohawks went into the lead after only 65 seconds through Jamie Tinsley the same player scored a second at 05.38 only for Rockets to cut the deficit six seconds later. Mohawks scorers: Jamie Tinsley 3+1, Ben Moore 2+1, Nathan Taylor 1+1, Callum Watson, Andrew Wood, Alistair Brummitt and Mark Nicholson 1+0, Jamie Buck and Daniel Harris 0+1.

Sunderland Commanches visited Telford Tiger Clubs also in the U14 North A League. After two wins Commanches have lost the next two. The latest at Telford for who it was their first win. Commanches did not get off to the best of starts and conceded a powerplay goal in the third minute.

Commanches scorers: Daniel Murdy 2_0.

Billingham Falcons under 14 A match against Kingston Aeros and Billingham Pumas under 12 North b League tie against Solihull Kings both at Forum Ice Arena, scheduled for last weekend were cancelled. This was due to the refurbishment to the ice rink not being completed.

Whitley Braves were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline at Kingston Predators in English Under 19 North A league. Braves went ahead with the only goal of the first period from Richard Dunn. Kingston hit back in the middle period and went 3-1 ahead after 33 minutes. Dunn cut the gap two minutes later only for Kington's two-goal; advantage to be restored on the powerplay in the 38th minute. Dunn completed his hat trick at 49.40 to keep Whitley's hopes alive but could not snatch an equalising goal.

Braves scorers: Richard Dunn 3+0, Ian Emerson 0+2, Dale Howey and Daniel Good 0+1.

Sunderland Apaches slipped to a 19-2 deficit at Nottingham Cubs in Under 10 North Midlands League challenge. Michael Elder opened Apaches account at 06.48 with his side trailing 0-2. The second goal coming at 36.52 through Jack Watson.

Apaches scorers: Michael Elder and Jack Watkins 1+0.

Whitley Bay Squaws hosted Flintshire Furies in Women's Division One North at Hillheads. Flintshire had the game won inside the opening seven minutes after taking a 3-0 lead which was increased to 4-0 after two periods. Sara Christie scored Squaws's consolation goal with the only goal of the final period.

Squaws scorers: Sara Christie 1+0, Helen Hughes 0+1.

English National Hockey League North

Billingham Bombers played their first game of the season at Altrincham Aces and were 4-2 winners. Garry Dowd and Simon Hehir both made their debuts. Dowd was with Dundee Stars in Findus British National League and Hehir spending a season out. Following a goalless opening period in which Bombers netminder Michael Snook was the busier, Andrew Thornton put Bombers ahead at 20.33.

Bombers scorers: Martin Lewis 1+1. Simon Hehir. Andrew Thornton and Scott Ward 1_0, Ian Richardson, Andrew Fletcher , David Thomas and Paul Windridge 0+1.Whitley Warriors 100 per cent record went on Sunday after taking a 4-2 deficit at Blackburn Hawks.

Local fixtures: Saturday October 5: English National Hockey League North: Billingham Bombers v Flintshire Freeze (6.30) English Under 16 North A League: Bradford Pirates v Billingham Bears (5.15). English Under 14 North A League: Birmingham Rockets v Billingham Falcons (5pm). Womens Premier League: Slough Phantoms v Sunderland Scorpions (5.30). Sunday October 6: Findus Challenge Cup: Newcastle KBS Vipers v Edinburgh Capitals (6pm). English Under 19 North A League: Whitley Braves v Kingston Predators (5.30).