Junior Review: Under-18s, 16s and 12s in action

BOWING OUT: Tyler Hall (left) Declan Snowden and Lydia Lutwyche all played their last junior games for the Bulldogs at the weekend. Alisha Potts and Aidan Southwood, who were unavailable for the clash with Widnes, also ‘age out’.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-18s signed off from a tough Division One North season in thrilling style when they shared the spoils with Widnes Wild Academy in a 12-goal thriller. 

In what marked a final-ever junior game for several of the Bulldogs players - Tyler Hall, Lydia Lutwyche and Declan Snowden - it was an entertaining showdown. 

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead into the second period, going ahead at 13.28 through captain Josh Guy before Charlie Farrow added to it just 30 seconds later.

It got even better when - just 34 seconds into the second period - the hosts got themselves 3-0 ahead through a second strike from Guy. 

But the teams were to go in level at the second intermission, Widnes getting back in the game through a 22nd-minute effort from Aidan Lamb before Olive Turner made it a one-goal game at 24.46.

The leveller came from Lamb at 37.41 but the Bulldogs got themselves back in front just over three minutes into the third when Guy completed a fantastic hat-trick.

A second from Farrow at 52.05 heightened hopes of a home win but Widnes came roaring back to level through strikes from Mack Harris (53.49) and a second for Turner (54.42).

TOP PERFORMERS: Stephen Abdy (Under-12s Spirit of the Game), Josh Guy (Under-16 and Under-18 Spirit of the Game) and Samson Collins (Under-12 Hardest Worker.

Again, though, the Bulldogs got themselves in front when Dan Johns made it 6-5 at 56.13, only for the Wild to haul themselves level once more when Harris doubled his tally for the night to ensure the teams shared the points. 

Josh Guy picked up the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award.

The day before, the Under-16s took to the ice at The Pound and had themselves another close-fought game with Solihull Barons Juniors.
Chances were at a premium with goaltenders on both teams in solid form. 

It was Solihull who took the lead at 4.16 when Oliver Bruce fired past Jacob Mardell for a short-handed strike. 

After struggling to make earlier power play opportunities count, the Bulldogs made their fifth go on the man advantage count to level through Josh Guy at 14.23.

Less than three minutes into the second, the Bulldogs were chasing the game again when Riley Hubbock put the visitors in front for a second time. 

But a frantic end to the middle section brought three more goals, Thomas Lee levelling for the Bulldogs at 28.54 only for Cooper Pearman to fire Solihull into the lead for a third time just 18 seconds later.

But the Bulldogs were quick to respond themselves, Guy - who picked up the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award - pouncing for his second of the game with just 10 seconds of the period remaining to make it 3-3.

Chances came and went at both ends in the third, but the game ended in a 3-3 draw - a fair result for two hard-working teams. 

Earlier in the day, the Under-12s headed to Ice Sheffield to take on Sheffield IHA. 

It proved to be another tough outing for the young pups, who - like the week before in Bradford - came up against an impressive Sheffield team. 

Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs again came off second best, going down 8-0. 

Stephen Abdy picked up the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award, while Samson Collins donned the Hardest Worker ‘Digger’ helmet.

The Under-12s get the chance to bounce back when they head to Nottingham on Saturday afternoon (4.50pm face-off).