Bulldogs’ Junior Review: Under-16s, Under-14s and Under-10s

Samuel Fako (Under-10s), Nadia Molenda (U-16s), Timur Sprogis (U-14) and Harley Lucas (U-14) were all rewarded for their performances and hard work at the weekend.

FOR the second week running Bradford Bulldogs Under-16s were involved in a tight, highly competitive game. 

This time, however, they came off second best when edged out 5-4 by hosts, Solihull Junior Barons.

In a game where the lead changed hands several times, the Bulldogs were stung when they found themselves 2-0 down inside six minutes, Oliver Bruce beating Jacob Mardell with only 20 seconds on the clock before Alfie Newell doubled the home team’s lead just over five minutes later. 

Bulldogs’ captain Danny Harrison halved the deficit with a redirect off Josh Guy in the 11th minute and, just over a minute into the second period, he hauled his team level. 

Just under two minutes later, the Bulldogs were ahead for the first time when Harrison completed his hat-trick.

But the teams went in level at the second break after Nathaniel Freimanis made it 3-3 with 27.56 on the clock. 

In a tight third period, chances came and went at both ends, but it was the Bulldogs who found themselves in front again when, on the power play, Thomas Lee tipped in off Guy to make it 4-3 at 39.25. 

It was a lead which only lasted 23 seconds, though, after Solihull captain Bruce doubled his tally for the evening to make it 4-4. 

The Bulldogs had barely recovered from that blow when they were hit again, Oscar Lee unleashing a fierce drive through traffic to beat Mardell for what proved to be a power play winning goal with exactly four minutes remaining. 

Nadia Molenda picked up the Spirit of the Game award on her Bulldogs’ debut.

It was the second loss of the day at the same rink for the Bulldogs after the Under-14s found it tough going against their counterparts. 

The Bulldogs were left facing an uphill battle from an early stage when they found themselves 5-0 down inside the first 10 minutes, the Solihull goals coming from Cooper Pearman, Noah Bruce, Riley Hubbuck, Nathaniel Freimanis and Darragh Gantley.

Kyle Bower then opened his account before the first break, then doubled his tally just under two minutes into the second period, something Hubbuck was able to emulate shortly after to make it 8-0.

Ethan Flowers pounced at 18.44 before Bower completed his hat-trick when making it 10-0 at 20.27. 

Jackson Jordan quickly added another before the scoring was rounded off by Freimanis in the 25th minute. 

Harley Lucas picked up the Spirit of the Game award for the Bulldogs, with Timur Sprogis allocated the Digger ‘Hardest Worker’ Helmet.

The snow that hit the region in the early hours of Saturday morning hampered the ability of a number of Under-10s players to make it down to the Lammas Leisure Centre for the latest X-ice jamboree. 

In the end, just four Bulldogs’ youngsters were able to make it, but that didn’t stop them having the usual mix of fun and development alongside players from Sutton Sting IHA, Sheffield IHA and Nottingham IHC. 

Samuel Fako - in just his third appearance for the Bulldogs - picked up the Spirit of the Game award.