BLACKBURN Hawks enjoyed mixed fortunes in last weekend's challenge double-header with ENHL South side Milton Keynes Thunder.

The Hawks lost Saturday's encounter but won the following day as both teams were beaten in their own backyard.

At the Arena Bobby Haig's men went down 3-1 with Craig Sharman scoring their only goal of the game in the second period.

In the return fixture on Sunday however it was a different story altogether as the Hawks pounded the Buckinghamshire outfit 12-2, with Sharman netting again on no fewer than four occasions.

The visitors' raced out of the blocks and moved into a five goal lead after the first period and scored another six in the second to Thunder's two.

The Hawks bagged the only goal of the third period to complete a resounding victory which saw goals for Chris Black (3), Jamie Thomson (3), Peter Norgate and Wayne Slater in addition to Sharman's stunning salvo.

Coach Haig said: "It's strange how it worked out as we actually had a better squad for Saturday's match. Perhaps we fielded too many players though who simply didn't have the chance to get involved.

"We played much better the next day and thoroughly deserved the win." Kingston Jets' victory at the weekend means the Hawks can no longer make the ENHL North play-offs.