Sunderland Commanches hosted Kingston Aeros in the English U14 North A League at the Telewest Arena in a very close encounter which ended 2-1 in Commanches favour.

Both defences were on top during the opening period which brought no goals. The deadlock was broke in the fifth minute of the middle period with Commanches short-handed, James Moutrey on the end of a Daniel Murdy pass to give Sunderland the lead. The Wearsiders' advantage was doubled six minutes later thanks to a Mark Robson strike set up by Callum Pattison. Kingston went into the final period trailing 0-2 and they did cut the deficit after 38 minutes. Commanches held on for the second win in three outings.

Commanches: James Moutrey, Mark Robson 1+0, Callum Pattison, Daniel Murdy 0+1.

Billingham Falcons went to Sheffield Stormers with an under-strength squad and had to borrow players from Sheffield's Under 12 squad to make up the numbers in this U14 match. Sheffield are a very strong squad and won the game. The result has gone down as a 5-0 for Sheffield.

Whitley Mohawks were also in U14 action when they visited Nottingham Tigers.

Mohawks: Mark Nicholson 2+0, Jamie Tinsley, Ben Moore 0+1.

Sunderland Arrows hosted neighbours Billingham Bears in an U16 challenge at the Telewest Arena. Bears compete in the A League and Arrows in the B after relegation at the end of last Season. Anthony Price gave Bears a deserved lead after ten minutes. James Udell and Liam Telfer were on target in the middle period as Bears went 3-0 ahead. Billingham were in full swing during the third period but found Arrows' netminder Richard Lawson a little difficult to beat. Lawson had come on for the final period and he was not beaten until 41-03 when Stephen Pritchard netted Bears' fourth. Adam Smith, Robert Dowd and Michael Farn completed the scoring with goals in the final three minutes for a 7-0 victory.

Bears: Anthony Price, Stephen Pritchard 1+2, James Udell, Robert Down, Adam Smith 1+1, Michael Farn, Liam Telfer 1+0, John Elkins 0+1.

Whitley Tomahawks played host to Sheffield Rapiers in the U16 North A League at Hillheads and were beaten 13-1. Ben Campbell scored Whitley's consolation goal in the middle period.

Sunderland Apaches met a very strong Kingston River Rats side and lost 26-1 in a U10 North/Midlands League encounter at the Arena.

Apaches: Jack Watkins 1+0, Alex Lawson, Michael Eider 0+1.

Sunderland Scorpions included new signings Beverley Hutchinson and Sara Clare (Billingham) and Claire Oldfield (Whitley Bay) in their lineup against Kingston Diamonds for the women's premier league match at the Telewest Arena.

And Sunderland are the early leaders with two wins from two outings. Scorpions: Teresa Lewis 2+1, Helen Stowe 1_1, Jane Price 1+0, Jayne McClelland, Lynsey Emmerson 0+1.

Sunderland Cherokees lost 7-4 to Kingston Rivermen in an Under 12 North A League match and Whitley Arrows won 5-2 away to Altrincham Spitfires also at U12 level.

English National Hockey League North

Sunderland Chiefs are one of three teams who have begun their season yet to gain a point. Grimsby Buffaloes and Bradford Bulldogs are the others. Chiefs' latest outing was against Sheffield Scimitars at the Telewest last Sunday and they lost 12-1. Chiefs: Adam Carr 1+0, Shaun Black 0+1.

Whitley Warriors share top slot with Sheffield after a third victory in as many matches. Warriors' latest win was 6-5 over Altrincham Aces at Hillheads. Warriors: Darren Taylor 3+0, Paul Graham 2+0, Andrew Carter 1+0, Kevin Bucas, Lee Baxter 0+2, Paul Matthews, Andrew Tindale, Bobby Bradley 0+1.

Warriors visit Blackburn Hawks on Sunday and Billingham Bombers start their seaosn also on Sunday at Altrincham.

Fix for Sat Sept 28 - English U19 North A League: Kingston Pedators v Whitley Braves (4.45am). English U16 North A League - Blackburn Eagles v Billingham Bears (6pm); Sheffield Rapiers v Whitley Tomahawks (5pm). English U14 North A League - Telford Tiger Cubs v Sunderland Commanches (5.30pm). English U12 B League - Billingham Pumas v Solihull Kings (4.15pm). Sunday Sept 29 - English National Hockey League North Altrincham Aces v Billingham Bombers (5.30pm); Blackburn Hawks v Whitley Warriors (6pm). English U14 North A League

Billingham Falcons v Kingston Aeros (6pm); Whitley Mohawks v Birmingham Rockets (12.15pm). English U10 North/Midlands League - Nottingham Cubs v Sunderland Apaches (6pm) Womens Division One North - Whitley Bay Squaws v Flintshire Furies (5.45pm).