Hawks double blow against Chiefs

CHELMSFORD CHIEFTAINS 16 HAWKS 1

IT WAS never going to be easy, but an injury-hit Blackburn Hawks crashed to double c defeats, home and away to the Chelmsford Chieftains.

The Hawks battled bravely, but their full-time professional opponents, who included seven imports in an awesome line-up were too powerful and dominated both English Premier Cup ties.

Playing a team from a higher division was tough enough, but a quartet of regulars were sidelined, putting the Hawks on the back foot from the off.

Inspirational player-coach Bobby Haig has a wrist injury in plaster and Mark Gabbitas has torn knee ligaments, both incurred against Whitley the previous week. Sharp-shooter Craig Sharman and net-minder Colin Downie were also missing, with knee and stomach injuries respectively.

The Hawks showed great commitment and courage in the home tie on Sunday, but went down by 13 goals to 2. Stand-in goalkeeper Robbie Smith put up a fine defiant performance despite collecting a painful knock in the first period.

Chris Cheadle and Mark McDonald scored for the hosts.

The hard-hit Hawks were even more depleted on the Sunday, taking just 14 players on the long trip to Essex for the return. Once again, it was a sterling 'backs-to-the-wall' performance, with Robbie Smith repeating his defensive heroics.

Chris Cheadle scored a solitary goal for the Hawks in the opening exchanges. But the crucial second period saw the Chieftains score 10 goals without reply. Although the Hawks rallied to restrict their hosts to 2-0 in the final session, the defeat by 16-1 was disappointing.

IT WAS never going to be easy, but an injury-hit Blackburn Hawks crashed to double defeats, home and away to the Chelmsford Chieftains.

The Hawks battled bravely, but their full-time professional opponents, who included seven imports in an awesome line-up were too powerful and dominated both English Premier Cup ties.

Playing a team from a higher division was tough enough, but a quartet of regulars were sidelined, putting the Hawks on the back foot from the off.

Inspirational player-coach Bobby Haig has a wrist injury in plaster and Mark Gabbitas has torn knee ligaments, both incurred against Whitley the previous week. Sharp-shooter Craig Sharman and net-minder Colin Downie were also missing, with knee and stomach injuries respectively.

The Hawks showed great commitment and courage in the home tie on Saturday, but went down by 13 goals to 2. Stand-in goalkeeper Robbie Smith put up a fine defiant performance despite collecting a painful knock in the first period.

Chris Cheadle and Mark McDonald scored for the hosts.

The hard-hit Hawks were even more depleted on the Sunday, taking just 14 players on the long trip to Essex for the return. Once again, it was a sterling 'backs-to-the-wall' performance, with Robbie Smith repeating his defensive heroics.

Chris Cheadle scored a solitary goal for the Hawks in the opening exchanges. But the crucial second period saw the Chieftains score 10 goals without reply. Although the Hawks rallied to restrict their hosts to 2-0 in the final session, the defeat by 16-1 was disappointing.