Lancashire Hawks 3 Peterborough Pirates 10 ; Fife Flyers 11 Lancashire Hawks 3

HAWKS found to their cost that teams with more brass and more class usually end up victorious.

The simple facts show the Lancashire side to be among the paupers of British ice hockey - whipping boys for the fat cats who chuck money at big squads.

Consequently Hawks regularly go on hiding-to-nothing excursions, a point emphasised by the events of weekend in the National League.

Peterborough Pirates eased to victory at the Arena on Saturday and, last night, a trip to Fife Flyers heaped on the agony.

Not least because two ex-Hawks played a full part in Flyers' success.

John Haig scored one and assisted in four more while Lee Cowmeadow, two days after jacking in with Lancashire, gave a starring display and chipped in with an assist.

Hawks were overrun early on and conceded seven goals in a one-sided first period before getting their act together to take the heat out of a fired up Fife side. Barry Hollyhead and Colin Downie shared the netminding responsibilities with the latter coming out on top to push a claim for a return to first choice.

Period scores: 7-2, 1-0, 3-1.

Scoresheet: Jeff Daniels 2+1, Bobby Haig 0+1, Alan Hough 0+1, Adrian Lomonaco 1+1.

On Saturday in front of a well-average crowd of just under 700, Hawks were never in with a chance against the Pirates of Peterborough.

The classy visitors - who put 20-odd goals past Murrayfield 24 hours later - took every period without much fuss.

Hawks fought hard, but superior skill usually tops endeavour and so it proved.

Period scores: 1-4, 2-4, 0-2.

Scoresheet: Mika Pyonnen 0+2, Jeff Daniels 0+1, Simon Mills 0+1, Alan Hough 1+0, Bobby Haig 0+1, Adrian Lomonaco 2+1.

Hawks look likely to be without defenceman Neil Abel until Christmas. The big defenceman has missed several games with a foot injury and he is still some way short of a return.

Former Sheffield Steelers star Patrick O'Connor has not been able to agree a move to Lancashire - but Hawks manager Mike Cockayne is hoping to set up a couple of new signings this week.

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