BLACKBURN Hawks have rekindled their slim hopes of reaching the Premiership after avoiding defeat at the weekend.

An 8-5 victory over Milton Keynes and a 6-6 draw at Guildford Flames provided their first points in their quest to reach the top flight.

But they remain at the foot of Group A and realistically the double defeat on the opening weekend of the play-offs is likely to prove too much of a handicap.

This weekend the Hawks travel to second-placed Bracknell Bees looking to avenge the 6-3 defeat that shattered their Premiership dream while on Sunday they entertain Guildford.

Manager Mike Cockayne said he was encouraged with his side's performances which showed glimpses of the Hawks' sparkling early season form when they were irresistible.

But, sadly, it is likely to be a case of too little too late.

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