Lancashire Hawks 5 Murrayfield Royals 5; Murrayfield Royals 3 Lancashire Hawks 6

JEFF DANIELS scored a stunning hat trick as Lancashire Hawks chalked up their first triumph of the new ice hockey season last night.

But Hawks only had themselves to blame for not recording an Autumn Trophy weekend double over Murrayfield Royals.

Daniels was the hero - ably supported by fellow Canadian import Adrian Lomonaco - as Hawks took maximum reward with a solid display in Scotland.

On Saturday though they tossed away a glorious victory chance at the Arena.

Last night Hawks held charge from the moment Daniels burst onto the scoring act after just 24 seconds. They faltered, only slightly in period two, but eventually ran out convincing victors.

Lomonaco scored a brace and chipped in with a couple of assists with Simon Mills completing the scoresheet.

It was a much improved effort from the local side with the new recruits showing that they are starting to feel at home.

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

Scoresheet: Neil Abel 0+3, Jim Pennycook 0+1, Jeff Daniels 3+0, Simon Mills 1+0, Tom Burridge 0+1, Alan Hough 0+1, Barry Hollyhead 0+1, Adrian Lomonaco 2+2.

Hawks made a total hash of things on Saturday night - and close on 1,000 fans were there to see it. The hard work had been done; Hawks moving easily into first a 4-0 and then a 5-1 lead. The game was as good as won until the local side decided to embark on mission self-destruct.

Royals were allowed to snatch a point in a dramatic finale, scoring the equaliser just two minutes from time.

Hawks could look to unnecessary penalty points, conceded when they had the upper hand, for enabling the visitors to get a hold of the game in the final period.

Early on it was plain sailing. Hawks ran in three first period goals from Adrian Lomonaco (2) and Lee Cowmeadow without reply and when Neil Abel added a fourth a minute into period two it was as good as over.

Royals responded, but the four-goal cushion was restored by Jeff Daniels before Hawks crumbled.

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

Scoresheet: Mika Pynnonen 0+1, Neil Abel 1+0, Jim Pennycook 0+1, Jeff Daniels 1+2, Tom Burridge 0+3, Lee Cowmeadow 1+0, Adrian Lomonaco 2+2.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.