PUCKS away! Blackburn Hawks face their first test of the new campaign tomorrow with a tough challenge at Telford Wildfoxes.

But for coach Bobby Haig, disappointed with last term's fifth place finish in the English League, the match action can't come quickly enough.

"I'm really looking forward to it," explained the swashbuckling Scot.

"We finished last season strongly and I want to build on that.

"Most of the same lads are with us and we have some real talent coming through from the under-19s.

"For instance, the Sheffield twins, Andrew and David are set to move up and there's Wayne Slater, who has already proved himself with some top performances at the higher level."

Haig has also been in talks with talented skater Chris Black of Dumfries.

"He's a possible signing and is experienced, he's played with Nottingham in the English Premier League."

The Hawks' coach is confident his team are more mature and will be competitive this term.

"Yes, they have developed together as a unit. We have good depth and I'm hoping to go 'three lines' if I can.

"Whitley Bay, Altrincham and Kingston will be up there again and Sheffield will come good.

"But if we play to our strengths I think we will do well.

"Anyone with Colin Downie minding for the team must start with a chance."

The match at Telford has a face-off at 5.30pm, but due to the well-documented traffic problems on the M6, the team and supporters' bus leaves Blackburn at 11.30 am.

Hawks fixtures 2002/3 season

Aug 18 A Telford Challenge

Sept 1 A Peterborough Premier Cup

Sept 8 H Telford Challenge

Sept 14 A Billingham ENHL

Sept 21 A Kingston ENHL

Sept 22 H Bradford ENHL

Sept 29 H Whitley Bay ENHL

Oct 5 H Sheffield ENHL

Oct 6 A Altrincham Eng Cup

Oct 13 H Altrincham ENHL

Oct 20 A Bradford ENHL

Oct 26 H Whitley Bay Eng Cup

Oct 27 A Altrincham ENHL

Nov 3 H Sunderland ENHL

Nov 9 A Whitley Bay Premier Cup

Nov 10 H TBC Challenge

Nov 17 A Flintshire ENHL

Nov 23 A Kingston Premier Cup

Nov 24 H Sheffield Eng Cup

Dec 1 A Sheffield ENHL

Dec 7 H Kingston Premier Cup

Dec 8 A TBC English Cup

Dec 15 H Billingham ENHL

Dec 22 H TBC Challenge

Dec 29 A Whitley Bay Premier Cup

Jan 4 H Peterborough Premier Cup

Jan 11 A Sunderland ENHL

Jan 12 H Flintshire ENHL

Jan 19 H Grimsby ENHL

Jan 26 A Sheffield Eng Cup

Feb 1 H Kingston ENHL

Feb 8 H Whitley Bay Premier Cup

Feb 9 A Whitley Bay ENHL

Feb 15 A Grimsby ENHL

Feb 16 H Altrincham Eng Cup

Feb 23 H TBC Challenge

Mar 8 H TBC Challenge

Mar 15 H TBC Challenge

Mar 23 H TBC Play Off

Mar 30 H TBC Play Off

Apr 6 H TBC Play Off

Apr 13 H TBC Play Off