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

SPIRIT OF THE GAME: Charlie Farrow (Under-18s), Conor Donaghey (Under-10s) and Xander Collins (Under-16s)

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-16s played host to Roses rivals Manchester Storm Academy at the weekend and fought hard before going down 6-2 at The Pound.

In an even first period, the Storm forged ahead in the sixth minute through Leo Cooper’s power play effort, the visitors’ doubling their lead when Heath Langlois beat Jacob Mardell at 12.51. 

Mardell was kept busy during the second period but repelled all 18 shots that came at him in a game which saw him save 51 out of 57 overall. 

But the start of the third period was where the game got away from the Bulldogs, 12 seconds in falling 3-0 behind through Langlois’ second of the game before, with the clock at 32.05 Eric Evans added a fourth. 

The Bulldogs gave themselves hope, however, when they hit back with two goals in four minutes from Thomas Lee. 

But as they pushed hard to reduce the deficit further, the visitors pulled further away, Alfie Seddon making it 5-2 at 39.53 before Langlois completed his hat trick just over two minutes later.

Xander Collins was awarded the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game for his battling performance, with Leo Cooper donning the Storm’s award.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs’ Under-18s visited Sheffield and found themselves with a mountain to climb when they were 4-0 down after the first period through goals from Will Weaver, Lewis Swaffield, J Gray and H Lindley.

The second period was where the game got away from the visitors, though, when they conceded seven more goals. 

Harry Illingworth made it 5-0 at 26.00 before Swaffield, Lindley M Thulbourne N Barnes, H Roebuck and Alfie Longmate all found the back of the net. 

Tyler Hall got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard at 41.24 before Roebuck and A Larner completed the scoring for the hosts inside the final 10 minutes for a deserved 13-1 win.

Charlie Farrow was the recipient of the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award.

Our Under-10s were also in action in their latest X-ice tournament with regular rivals Sutton Sting, Sheffield IHA and hosts Nottingham 

The first game against Sutton produced a thrilling 5-5 draw, with the Bulldogs points coming from Conor Donaghey (2+0), Teddy Barnett (2+0), Arnie Evans (1+1), George Clarke (0+2) and Oliver Toney (0+1). 

It was a tough outing next time around for the Bulldogs as they went down 15-2 to a strong Sheffield team, Henry Martin and Conor Donaghey scoring the goals with assists going to George Clarke and Arnie Evans. 

The next two games came against the two Nottingham teams, the Bulldogs losing out 4-0 to Nottingham A and then 3-0 against Nottingham B. 

Team manager Aimee Clarke said: There were some tough games at this jamboree with only a few members attending, with our seasoned goalie away on holiday.

“The players that stepped up did a tremendous job and put in 110 per cent effort and Jacob did an awesome job in net!

“Conor deservedly got the Spirit of the Game award for his effort throughout and, of course, his three terrific goals.”