BLACKBURN Hawks enjoyed back-to-back wins, narrowly overcoming Billingham in ice hockey's English Cup and defeating Sunderland Chiefs in a Challenge at the Arena 24 hours later.

The victory over Billingham was a first for the Hawks over the Bombers on the Teesside ice. It was only secured after the tensest of cup clashes which saw both sides rain 32 shots each on goal.

The Hawks were without player-coach Bobby Haig and regular goalminder Colin Downie, out through illness and re-location respectively.

Downey's deputy Robbie Smith was resolute in goal and Haig's troops to a man rose to the occasion, showing strength of character to keep the Hawks on course for qualification from their English National Cup group.

The Bombers opened the scoring with Martyn Lewis after eight minutes, but the Hawks equalised with four minutes of the first period left through Michael Brunton, after good work from Adam Leaver.

And by the halfway point of the second period, they had powered into a two goal lead. Matt Southall and Anthony Kinder netted, with assists from Adam Fuller and Craig Sharman respectively.

However, the Hawks went to sleep on the restart after Kinder's strike, as Billingham scored within six seconds through Andrew Thorton.

But they rallied and, two minutes before the end of the period, assumed a 4-2 lead. Smart build-up play from Sharman and Brunton teed up Matt Southall to score.

The final period produced cut-and-thrust hockey but with few chances. A Billingham consolation a minute from time, Lewis' second strike of the match, was not enough to force a draw.

"It's the first time I've come away from Billingham with a win and I'm delighted," said flu-bound Haig. "The lads played really well, every one of them."

The Hawks rang the changes for the specially arranged challenge with fellow ENHL side Sunderland at the Arena.

Goals from Eddie Cooper, Wayne Slater, Matt Southall, Chris Black and Anthony Kinder saw off the Wearsiders' challenge as the Hawks led throughout.

Haig fielded a young line for the final minutes, including teenage prospect Greg Ruxton in goal and they more than held their own against the Chiefs.

BILLINGHAM BOMBERS 3

BLACKBURN HAWKS 4