BARRY Hollyhead put the shutters up and Andrew Dickson smashed through the century barrier as Blackburn Hawks celebrated the best weekend of their ice hockey season.

Netminder Hollyhead was in sensational form at Romford last night. He kept a clean sheet in the face of some 53 shots from the home side to complete his first "shut-out" in a Hawks shirt as the Lancashire lads maintained a challenge for the English Premier League title.

Canadian hot-shot Dickson also got the goal that took him through a notable personal milestone of 100 points to leave player-coach Bobby Haig "over the moon."

"Just the sort of weekend we were looking for," enthused Haig. "The lads were brilliant and while there were some great individual efforts, it was really down to the team as a whole. The way we defended last night was tremendous."

In an enthralling contest in Romford, Hawks took an early lead through Lamonte Polet and then worked overtime to keep the Raiders in check.

Hollyhead, backed up by sterling work from the defensive line, emerged unbeatable and showed few signs of the neck injury that had kept him on the sidelines for three weeks.

On Saturday, Hawks were far too slick for struggling Oxford and could have had more goals to show from a one-sided contest.

Dickson led the charge with five goals while there were hat-tricks for Polet and Danny Mackriel. A mention too for Haig who didn't put his name to a goal, but assisted in no fewer than eight.

Saturday details - Period scores: 5-1, 7-1, 4-2.

Scoresheet: Len Giacalone 0+1, Jason Fitton 0_1, Tom Burridge 1+0, Jamie Thompson 1+0, Danny Macriel 3+0, Bobby Haig 0+8, James Beale 2+0, Billy Price 0+1, Brian Smith 1+0, Andrew Dickson 5+2, Lamonte Polet 3+3.

Sunday details - Period scores: 0+1, 0+0, 0+2.

Scoresheet: Lamonte Polet 1+0, Andrew Dickson 1+0, Danny Mackriel 1+0, Brian Smith 0+1, Gordon Whyte 0+1, Jamie Thompson 0+1, Billy Price 0+1.

Hawks are back in action on Thursday night with a tough away game at title favourites MIlton Keynes.

Oxford goalkeeper Jason Thomas was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after suffering what looked to be a serious injury during the second period of Saturday's game at the Arena.

Fortunately, a full examination revealed little more than severe bruising to his back and Thomas was allowed to travel home with his team-mates.

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