Blackburn Hawks 6 Murrayfield Royals 8

"DON'T worry about a thing"...is the Blackburn Hawks theme tune, but not a likely Christmas number one from Jim Pennycook!

Hawks coach has plenty to worry about and, right now, it's difficult to see everything coming right.

Successive Northern Premier League defeat number six at the Arena last night - against a Murrayfield side who had lost 16-0 the previous night - leaves Hawks season in tatters.

But while all may appear doom and gloom, there were signs that Hawks may be starting to get to the corner even if they're not quite ready to turn it.

Effort and commitment - there was certainly plenty of that for a side lacking in confidence after a run of disastrous results. There was even a short spell when the ever-faithful fans even thought a dramatic and rousing fightback might just earn a draw. Hawks had pulled themselves up by the bootlaces from trailing 3-7 to 6-7 with three minutes to go, but a flukey Royals goal put a half on Hawks' rally. Pennycook's men were even leading at one stage - the first goal of the game going to Ismo Rokala.

The Royals hit back with four in a row and it was a full 30 minutes before Hawks got back on the scoresheet. Two excellent efforts inside 60 seconds from Patrik Ferlander lifted everyone's spirits until a softly conceded goal on the close of period two re-established the visitors as likely winners.

Hawks were not prepared to surrender however, and three quick strikes made for a rousing third period. But when they needed that little bit of good fortune it just wasn't there.

Stand-in skipper Bobby Haig did his best to gee up his men, but the overall standard of defending was poor and, consequently, Hawks always looked more likely to concede than score.

Ferlander missed some of the action, needing four stitches in a head wound and, without the influential Neil Abel (injured), Hawks lacked power and aggression. Period scores: 1-3, 2-2, 3-3.

Scoresheet: Ismo Rokala 2+0, Patrik Ferlander 2+1, Tom Burridge 1+0, Alan Hough 1+0, Tim Dempsey 0+4, Jim Pennycook 0+2, Richard Charles 0+1, Bobby Haig 0+1, Colin Downie 0+1, Simon Mills 0+1.

Hawks had lost only once in five previous Arena clashes with the Royals and they could ill-afford to lose last night.

But, lose they did and the main priority for Pennycook now is to stop his side ending up holding the wooden spoon.

On Saturday night Hawks were beaten 8-16 in a specially arranged challenge match with Manchester Storm. Hawks, clear out-classed, gave a decent account of themselves and had Storm's player-coach John Lawless in their ranks as a guest. Johnny Leijding scored a hat-trick while their other scorers were Rokala (2), Craig Sharman, Haig and Charles.

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