IN a busy double-header weekend, Blackburn Hawks drew 5-5 with Whitley Bay in the English cup at the Arena before crashing 2-9 in the league at Altrincham Aces.

Having beaten the Warriors from Whitley 4-2 in a league match last month, Haig's went looking for a double on home ground on Saturday night.

A crowd of almost 500 turned out as two evenly-matched sides played out a goalless first period, before the Hawks had stormed into a 4-2 lead by the end of the second.

Neal Haworth opened the scoring for the Hawks, but Brian Dunn grabbed a brace for the visitors, the Hawks hitting back through Jason Fitton, Haig and David Sheffield.

Wayne Slater increased the advantage to 5-2 in the final session, but the Hawks allowed the Warriors back into the game, Dunn completing his hat-trick with a last-ditch equaliser.

On Sunday, arch-rivals Altrincham Aces raced out of the blocks and cruised into a 4-0 lead in the opening period, before Wayne Slater hit a goal for the Hawks.

The second period mirrored the first, with the Aces taking their chances and extending their advantage to 7-2. Sheffield was the scorer for the Hawks, hitting his second goal of the weekend.

It was to prove scant consolation, however, as the Aces added a couple more and ran out comfortable 9-2 winners. Both sides clocked up 37 shots on goal, but on this occasion the Aces' Phil Verstappen proved more effective than Colin Downie for the Hawks.

ENHL Northern Cup

HAWKS 5 WHITLEY BAY 5

English National Hockey League (North)

ALTRINCHAM ACES 9 HAWKS 2