BLACKBURN HAWKS restored East Lancashire's pride over the north east at the weekend!

They succeeded where Rovers failed in taking maximum points off Sunderland in a league match.

Having been spared a Saturday night in Grimsby, the Hawks kicked off their season with an exciting 7-6 win over Sunderland at the Arena on Sunday.

Problems with the Grimsby rink caused the fixture between the Hawks and the Buffaloes to be cancelled just 24 hours before the match was due to be played.

With an extra day to prepare the Hawks were up for the battle when Sunderland Chiefs rolled into town. And in the closest of games, Bobby Haig's men came out on top.

Star man was Mark McDonald, hitting four goals in a brilliant display of finishing. Defenceman Gordon Whyte and Wayne Whitby grabbed single strikes and player-coach Haig rounded off the scoring as well as providing five assists.

Neal Haworth and Wes Barnett also chipped in with assists.

The period scores were 2-2, 3-2 and 2-2 providing the Hawks with the best possible start to the new campaign.

Hawks were without regular minder Colin Downey, who had other commitments, but Robbie Smith was an able deputy between the posts.

"It's always good to win. Sunderland made it very tight for us, it was close all the way through," said manager Keith Greenhalgh.