BLACKBURN Hawks sent their festive followers home in cheery spirits with a thumping 10-2 win against Medway Bears on the Christmas Eve afternoon.

It completed a profitable weekend for the Division One leaders who cantered to a 12-1 victory away to basement outfit Billingham Bombers on Saturday.

Sunday's win saw Hawks cope admirably with the absence of Russ Plant, Paul Fleury and Lee Cowmeadow through illness to race in to a 5-0 lead in the first 13 minutes before stepping off the gas to take the next two periods 2-1 and 3-1 respectively.

French Canadian marksman Steve Chartrand helped himself to a couple in the opening third and added six assists to his impressive personal tally. Scotsman John Haig chalked up yet another hat trick before racing off to catch a train home and Jon Cotton, eligible once more after a transfer complication, bagged two in the closing minutes.

Netminder Ian Young was even allowed the luxury of ending the match up front and with the crowd exhorting him to score, almost found the net right at the death. Hawks drafted in a number of junior players as cover on the bench, but there was never any possibility of an upset as the visitors faced the long journey back to Kent.

Hawks got through the proceedings without having to take a single penalty. Scoresheet: Haig 3 + 1, Chartrand 2 + 6, Sinkov 2 + 2, Cotton 2 + 0, Bell 1 + 0, Kummu 0 + 1, Pennycook 0 + 2. It was much the same story on Teeside as Hawks put bottom-placed Billingham to the sword with a classy display, taking the three periods 3 + 0, 3 + 0 and 6 + 1. Haig was again rampant with five goals and four assists with Chartrand and Oleg Sinkov also taking the opportunity to indulge themselves against the hapless home side in a virtually empty arena.

Scoresheet: Haig 5 + 4, Sinkov 3 + 2, Chartrand 2 + 6, Kummu 2 + 3, Bell 0 + 3, Pennycook 0 + 1. "We performed well both nights," said manager Mike Cockayne, "and showed great discipline in coming out to do a job at a time when it's easy to be distracted. We've got the momentum going nicely again now and you can't complain about a four-point weekend.

"The lads certainly did all we asked of them and turned in two very solid displays."

Hawks are now two points clear of Manchester Storm who romped to an easier-than-expected 9-1 victory at third-placed Dumfries in their only fixture of the weekend. Storm have two games in hand on Hawks, but the top two clash at the Arena on January 21.

Hawks travel to Dumfries on Saturday before entertaining Billingham at the Arena at 3pm on New Year's Eve.

Hawks supporters' association, the Mohawks, are running a coach to the vital clash at Dumfries, price £8.50, £7.50 for members. Booking details available on 01254 672974.

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