Bradford Bulldogs Under-14s back up to third after calming Storm fightback

TREBLE TOP: Under-14s captain Daragh Spawforth posted three goals and an assist in the 8-6 win over Manchester Storm. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints

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BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-14s returned to winning ways and with it third place in the North One standings - but only after giving themselves a scare against Manchester Storm.

The Bulldogs were 7-1 ahead at one stage at Little Horton Lane, but the visitors staged a spirited rally, coming back to within one goal, only for the hosts to hold them off an eventually run out 8-6 winners in the first of three meetings between the two teams this season.

There were just over five minutes on the board when William Durgan opened the scoring for the home team, set-up by Max Lutwyche.

Daragh Spawforth then got in on the act when he doubled the lead at 7.01, although Manchester halved that deficit when Oliver Gotts fired past Jacob Midgley in the Bulldogs net.

SIX OF THE BEST: Danny Harrison registered three goals and three assists in the home 8-6 win over Manchester Storm on Saturday. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

The rest of the period belonged to the Bulldogs, though, Spawforth doubling his tally at 12.37 before Durgan broke clear down centre ice before firing past Alice Somerford just over a minute later.

In and even game, Manchester were unlucky not to be closer to their hosts an fell further behind when Danny Harrison opened his account at 19.02.

DOUBLE DELIGHT: William Durgan bagged two goals as Bradford Bulldogs Under-14s moved back up to third in the North One standings with an 8-6 win over Manchester Storm. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints

Harrison then bagged a second period hat-trick when he scored twice within 21 seconds of each other in the 28th minute.

Storm gave themselves a lifeline, however, when Bailey Thomas ripped one past Midgley from the top of the left circle and into the top left-hand corner of the net with 35 seconds remaining.

The visitors then set about gradually picking away at the deficit, moving within four through Leo Cooper at 32.05 before Gotts pegged his second of the game just over three minutes later.

HELPING HAND: Max Lutwyche (1), left, and Frank O'Sullivan (3), got on the board with assists during the win over Manchester for Bulldogs Under-14s. Pictures: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints

Cooper got his second at 38.25 before a strike from Mario Vaksmansky really set the nerves going throughout the home team when he made it 7-6 at 39.23.

But, no sooner did Storm fancy their chances of overhauling their opponents, than the Bulldogs gave themselves some breathing space when Spawforth fired a rocket past Somerford at 39.37 for and 8-6 lead which the hosts hung on to for two valuable points in their bid to finish runners-up.

Under-10s enjoy cross-ice tournament in Telford

The Under-10s made the long trip to Telford earlier in the day on Saturday, facing off in some cross-ice against regular opponents Widnes, Manchester and Telford. 

As usual, a great time was had by all, every kid getting plenty of ice time an developing their skills.

Camron Helliwell got the Spirit of the Game award for the Bulldogs before the teams finished off the day with a penalty shoot-out - footage of which you can see on our Facebook page later HERE