SUNDAY saw the opening of Blackpool's newest sports venue at the Wimbourne leisure facility on Cropper Road, off Squires Gate Lane.

A purpose built skater hockey rink now fills the main arena and all the North West leagues will run from this centre, along with national and international tournaments.

Five of the regions under 14's teams competed on Sunday in a friendly tournament to try out the new centre. Wigan Cougars and Preston Phoenix joined Blackpool Raiders and Blackpool's West Coast Wasps A and B teams in a thrilling action packed event.

Raiders coming out strong in the first game of the day beating Preston Phoenix 13-0, Wigan Cougars 8 Wasps B 1 in game two.

In a local derby clash Wasps A came out top beating Blackpool Raiders 2-0. With the Wasps going on to win all their games to become the first tournament winners at the Wimbourne Hockey Centre.

This weekend is the start of the North West league and league events will be staged every weekend. With the top teams at each age group going on to play in the national finals representing the North West region.

Anyone interested in taking up the sport can contact Mick Caunce on 314638 or go to the centre on any Tuesday night from March 6 after 6.30pm.