BLACKBURN Hawks beat arch rivals Whitley Warriors in a Premier Cup tie, but it was scant consolation as the tables were turned in a vital league clash 24 hours later.

In the most exciting finish of the season so far, Hawks skipper Gordon Whyte hit the cup winner to clinch a 7-6 victory with just two seconds left on the clock.

The following night, up in the North East, the Hawks' efforts seemed to take their toll and the Warriors ran out comfortable winners 13-6.

The loss of valuable league points means, though not mathematically certain yet, the Hawks are unlikely to qualify for this year's end-of-season play-offs.

They have one league game outstanding, away at Grimsby on Saturday.

At the Blackburn Arena, the Hawks tore into the lead in the Premier Cup clash, hitting three first period goals without reply. Michael Brunton set the puck rolling in the fifth minute, Whyte and player-coach Bobby Haig hitting the other goals.

David Sheffield improved the lead to 4-0 soon after the restart, but then the visitors began to claw their way back.

Two goals in a minute gave them hope, before Adam Leaver notched a fifth for the Hawks.

Undeterred, the Warriors ploughed forward and scored another swift brace to set the final period up at 5-4 to the Hawks.

Both sides were clearly up for the battle and traded goals, David Sheffield scoring for Blackburn.

With the score at 6-6 and a tie looking inevitable, Whyte swept in to grab his second of the game and send the majority of the1,021-strong crowd home happy.

Cup success was sweet, but the League has always been Haig's priority and he would surely have traded one result for the other.

The first period at Whitley was in similar vein to the previous evening, with little to separate the sides as they changed ends at 2-2.

The Warriors then upped the tempo, taking the second session 6-3 and the final third with a disappointing 5-1, to win the game comfortably.

Haig and Sheffield scored two each and there were single strikes from Brunton and Adam Fuller. The setback leaves the Hawks seemingly stranded in fifth position,

agonisingly one slot away from the play-off places.

English Premier Cup

BLACKBURN HAWKS...7

WHITLEY WARRIORS...6

English National League (North)

WHITLEY WARRIORS 13 BLACKBURN HAWKS 6