Bulldogs Juniors: Under-16s snap losing streak as Under-18s impress in 19-goal thriller

Bulldogs Juniors (from left): Charley Farr, Jacob Brownlie, Heather Clarkson and Frank O’Sullivan. Pictures: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

IT WAS a mixed bag of results for Bradford Bulldogs’ junior teams at the weekend, with four of the teams in action.

The Under-16s got the better of a stubborn Whitley Bay side at Bradford Ice Arena, when running out 7-4 winners, while the Under-18s came off second-best to Billingham Stars once again when edged out 10-9 on the road. 

The Under-12s lost out to a Blackburn Hawks team 8-0 and our Under-10s were over in Blackburn for another successful cross-ice jamboree.

The Under-16s were able to snap a six-game losing streak after coming from behind at home to their North East rivals, who went ahead just 63 seconds into the game through Jack Williams. 

Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, the Bulldogs went in at the first break still trailing, but they were rewarded for their determined approach early in the second when Danny Harrison pounced at 18.53 to put home a rebound after Mackenzie Barker’s initial shot had been saved by Orson Groot in the Whitley goal.

Frank O’Sullivan then picked his spot with a sweet, low strike through traffic at 20.50 to put the hosts ahead, their lead enhanced just under two minutes later when Harrison drove down the middle before finishing backhand over Groot’s right shoulder. 

The lead was soon extended further when captain Daragh Spawforth pounced at 24.55 and Barker’s determination was rewarded 20 seconds later when he swept home despite being flat out on the ice to make it 5-1.

Whtiley pulled one back through Ethan Dunn with just 31 seconds remaining in the period and gave themselves further hope when the same player struck on the power play at 35.44 to make it 5-3.

TREBLE TOP: Danny Harrison struck a hat-trick in the Under-16s 7-4 home win over Whitley Bay. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

But a neat set-up from Spawforth enabled Harrison to smash home his hat-trick strike low to Groot’s right to put daylight between the two teams again at 36.08 and although Williams responded 36 seconds later with his second of the game to make it 6-4, that was as close as the visitors got, O’Sullivan rounding off the scoring for the Bulldogs with another quality strike at 39.02.

Bulldogs excel in 19-goal thriller at the Forum

The Under-18s headed east looking to exact revenge on a Billingham team who had edged them out 10-7 in Bradford two weeks earlier.

They came close, too, but came up agonisingly short in a pulsating contest at Billingham Forum.

After falling behind to a strike from Beatte at 9.10, the Bulldogs hit back quickly to take the lead with two goals in 60 seconds from Mackenzie Barker and Daragh Spawforth.

Defenceman Tommy Spraggon - on a two-way deal with NIHL National’s Leeds Knights - replied just as quickly at 11.39 to tie things up but the visitors went in ahead at the first break when Spawforth struck his second with 27 seconds remaining.

Spawforth sealed an excellent hat-trick at 26.51 but that was sandwiched by two strikes from Musa Musaiev to ensure the teams reached the halfway mark tied at 4-4.

A second for Barker at 32.48 saw the Bulldogs edge ahead again, but two goals from Sam Dowd within as many minutes saw advantage swing towards the hosts once more.

That gave them a 6-5 lead, but the teams were to go in level at the second break when Damarni James - on a two-way deal with Blackburn Hawks and a subsequent two-way with Leeds Knights - struck on the power play at 36.11.

The pace didn’t relent in the final period, though, a hat-trick strike from Musaiev at 42.46 followed by a first of the game for Ben Greenhalgh just under two minutes later.

It stayed that way until the Bulldogs came roaring back, Matthew Cross - also on a two-way with Blackburn and a subsequent agreement with Sheffield Steeldogs - making it a one-goal game on the power play at 51.42 before Rhys Edwards - on a two-way with Widnes Wild - brought the visitors level at 53.01.

Musaiev made it four for the night at 55.02, only for James to level with his second of the game just 12 seconds later.

But when Michael Plant made it 10-9 at 57.47 there was to be no reply from the Bulldogs, left with nothing to show for their efforts in a remarkable 19-goal game.

Hawks too strong for Bulldogs Under-12s

Bulldogs Under-12s found it hard going against a Blackburn team reliant on players from other clubs to make up the shortfall in their roster - part of the player dispensation scheme.

Billy Lingwood put the visitors ahead inside two minutes and further first period goals came from Christian Peters, Lingwood and Zak Harling.

Peters bagged a second just over three minutes into the second, with Zac Grimes (2) and Caiden Mellor completing the scoring inside the second period.

Under-10s continue development in Blackburn

The Under-10s met up with their familiar rivals Widnes, Manchester and hosts Blackburn, enjoying another day of development with a series of cross-ice games.

Henry Martin bagged the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award, his day one of double celebration after also netting his first goal of the season!

Bulldogs Under-10s take time out from a busy cross-ice jamboree at Blackburn.