BLACKBURN Hawks enjoyed double weekend success, retaining the North West Cup at the expense of Altrincham, and crushing Grimsby Buffaloes in an English League North fixture.

The North West Cup is an annual challenge between the Hawks and close rivals Altrincham Aces. After winning the home leg 8-5, the Hawks travelled to Cheshire, overcame a 2-4 deficit from the first period, and ran out worthy winners.

In-form Craig Sharman sparkled again, bagging a super six-pack of goals, with single supporting strikes coming from Wes Barnett, Bobby Haig, Dan Mackriel, Wayne Whitby and Gordon Whyte.

As ever between these two sides, competition was fierce and physical confrontation to the fore. The match ended with tempers frayed, with the hard-pressed officials dishing out penalties and ejecting culprits from the battlefield.

Sunday's home League match with Grimsby was as one-sided as the score suggests, earning the Hawks a seventh League victory this campaign so far.

The Buffaloes arrived late and never allowed to get into their stride as the Hawks' superior fire-power tore into them.

Man of the match Dan Mackriel led the way, hitting eight goals. Craig Sharman potted four to make it a double figures tally for the weekend's action. Chris Cheadle underlined the form that has earned GB U20 recognition with a brace of goals. Tony Melbourne also netted two.

Single hits were added by Wes Barnett, Eddie Cooper, Mark Gabbitas, Bobby Haig, Paul Holden, Mark McDonald and Gordon Whyte.

Following the bulldozing of the Buffaloes, the Hawks move into joint second alongside Altrincham and Kingston, just two points behind League leaders Billingham.