Bulldogs Junior Review - Under-10s, Under-16s and Under-18s

SPIRIT OF THE GAME: Tyler Hall (Under-18s), Sidney Spence-Cox (Under-10s) and Josh Guy (Under-16s).

IT was a busy weekend of action down at The Pound as three of our junior teams were in action. 

The Under-18s were back in action for the first time in almost two months when they welcomed Yorkshire rivals Kingston Sharks to The Pound on Sunday. 

And it proved a tough start for the home side as they found themselves 3-0 down inside five minutes, after Beau Reeder’s third-minute opener was added to by strikes from Stanley Beaumont and Will Durgan. 

Lydia Lutwyche got the Bulldogs on the board soon enough, however, combining well with debutant Alisha Potts to make it 3-1 at 6.29. 

That was how it stayed until the second period and it wasn’t until the game had passed its halfway point before the net was bristling again, Reeder doubling his tally to make it 4-1 at 31.42. 

Charlie Powell then broke down the middle before backhanding past Jacob Mardell just over three minutes later to give the visitors a commanding lead going into the third. 

Any hopes the Bulldogs had of a comeback were ended just over three minutes into the final period when Jay Musson made it 6-1, Durgan and Reeder combining on a 2-on-0 for the latter to seal his hat-trick and a 7-1 victory in the 57th minute.

Tyler Hall was picked as the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award winner.

The previous day, the Under-16s played host to Whitley Bay Juniors in an entertaining, keenly-fought contest. 

There was little to choose between the two teams throughout with both goalies - Mardell for Bradford and Orson Groot for Whitley - in fine form. 

Whitley struck first, taking the lead just under three minutes in through Ollie Jardine. 

It was a lead the visitors held until the 17th minute, Bradford taking advantage of a power play opportunity which saw Thomas Lee quickest to react to Groot’s save of Josh Guy’s initial shot to fire home the rebound and level the scores.

Less than three minutes later, however, Whitley restored their lead through Alexey Belajevs and despite enjoying the lion’s share of chances and possession in the third period, the Bulldogs were unable to find a way past Groot for a second time. 

Josh Guy was chosen as the recipient of the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award.

Earlier on Saturday, the Under-10s took part in their latest X-ice jamboree with regular opponents Nottingham IHC, Sheffield IHA and Sutton Sting IHA. 

After losing out 4-0 to Nottingham in their opening game, the youngest of our pups found their range when up against Sutton soon after.
Arnie Evans led the way with four goals in an 11-3 win, with George Clarke weighing in with a hat-trick. 

Further strikes came from Denis Sprogis (2), Jacob Macintyre and Freddy Barnett, with Sidney Spence-Cox, Teddy Holland and Robson Bagott grabbing an assist apiece.

A tough clash against Sheffield resulted in the visitors prevailing 8-0 in the next game but the Bulldogs bounced back once again, winning their second game of the afternoon against Sutton 12-0.

Oliver Toney and Robson Bagott both bagged hat-tricks, with Arnie Evans (2), Teddy Barnett (2), Finley Mardell and Denis Sprogis also getting on the scoresheet. 

Finley Mardell (3), Teddy Barnett, Henry Martin, Arnie Evans and Teddy Holland all grabbed assists, while the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award went to Sidney Spence-Cox.