Junior round-up: Billingham Pumas rounded off their English U12 North Promotion/Relegation play-offs with a defeat. Flintshire Flyers were visitors to the Forum Ice Arena in a match to decide who finished top.
Both teams were in North B League this past season and each have gained promotion at the expense of Blackburn Sparrowhawks and Whitley Bay Arrows.
Flintshire and Billingham were level with four points apiece before Saturday's encounter. Flyers, 4-3 winners when Pumas were visitors to Clwyd, went ahead at 03.14 only for James Moss to level the match a minute later. Two goals in five minutes restored Flintshire to a 3-1 lead at the end of the opening period.
The advantage was increased a minute into the restart for 4-1. Two goals in the 21st minute from William Bradwood and Jack Chapman cut the deficit to one. Within a minute Pumas had lost two players on major penalties. Ben Davison was handed a five plus game misconduct for roughing at 21.07 and 40 seconds later Stephen Simcox followed for a check from behind penalty which was a five plus games misconduct. Flyers had a two-man advantage for five minutes and this they took advantage of by scoring a powerplay goal at 23.46.
The visitors added a sixth in the 38th minute and with just 13 seconds remaining Moss completed the scoring with Pumas' fourth goal of the game.
Pumas: James Moss 2+2, Jack Chapman 1+1, William Bradwood 1+0, Jack Davies 0+1.
Whitley Bay Junior Ice Hockey club held their annual presentation night at Marden Piper pub which was well attended. The annual awards were presented by club officials as well as former Whitley Warriors players Karl Culley and Kevin Bucas who spent last season with Findus British National League neighbours Newcastle Vipers.
U10: Whitley Mischiefs: Most valued player - Andrew Cook; Best forward - Harry Harley; Best defenceman - Jonny Zajac; Most improved - Jonathan Coyne; Coaches' one to watch - Ben Richards.
U12: Whitley Arrows: Most valuable player - Liam Brown; Best forward - Daniel Bentley; Best defenceman - David Lawrence; Most improved Joe Zajac; Coaches' one to watch - Matthew Sellars.
U14 - Whitley Mohawks: Most valuable player - Daniel Smith; Best forward - Jamie Tinsley; Best defenceman - Kurt Waller; Most improved - Stuart Tomlinson; Coaches' one to watch - Josh Buck.
U16: Whitley Tomahawks: Most valuable player - Sam Zajac; Best forward - Ben Moore; Best defenceman - Daniel Harris; Most improved _ Liam McAllister; Heart of the team - Yannis Metallinas; Players' player - Alistair Brummitt.
U19: Whitley Braves: Most valuable player - Stephen Hoult; Best forward - Ian Emerson; Best defenceman - David Barrett; Most improved - John Shreeve; Heart of the team - Ryan Sample; Players' player - David Barrett; Women's - Whitley Squaws; Most valuable player - Sara Christie; Best forward - Becky Kasner; Best defenceman - Karen Lockey; Most improved - Sarah Barnett; Players' player - Sarah Smith.
* Sunderland and Blackburn will play in the U19 North A League for season 2004-2005.
Flintshire have gained promotion to North A League and Bradford remain in North B League for season 2004-2005.
Newcastle Vipers continue their team building for the new season by signing Canadian Rob Trumbley. It will be his third with the Vipers and a fifth with a Newcastle-based franchise.
Newcastle Cobras in 1997-98 was Trumbley's first season and a year later with Riverkings. This was followed by Trumbley for the next three seasons spending time at Ayr, Manchester, Hull and Edinburgh before returning to Tyneside at the start of season 2002-2003.
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