THE Blackburn Ice Arena and a hugely appreciative crowd raised over £500 for Derian House Children's Hospice in a challenge game between the Blackburn Hawks and an EIHA junior select team.

The special memorial game, which was played in honour of the much-loved Eileen Ruxton, also recorded a club first, as Great Britain starlet Lauren Halliwell became the first ever girl to pull on a Hawks' jersey.

Assistant manager of the Blackburn Hawks, Graham Lomax, who switched allegiances to hand pick and coach the select side, admitted that the 11-4 scoreline flattered the experienced Hawks outfit.

"I picked a side that I felt was capable of giving them a game and they certainly did that," he said. "We struggled to finish off our chances and had we done so the outcome may well have been very different.

"We actually took the lead early on, which sent a real shockwave through them, but their experience soon told and a combination of a stronger goaltender and some clinical finishing from their seniors handed them the victory.

Goalscorers on the evening for the select side were Ollie Lomax, David Meikle, Bobby Caunce and Chris Keating

He added: "Lauren Halliwell also played her part and probably got a lot more ice time than expected.

"And despite carrying a slight injury into the game, I thought she did very well."