BLACKBURN Hawks leapfrogged Sutton Sting in the Moralee Conference table after a 3-1 home win over their rivals on Sunday.

Hawks moved up to third in the table after recording their ninth consecutive victory.

Jake Nurse put Hawks ahead from a Dan Mackriel after 10 minutes at the Blackburn Arena but Shaun Ashton levelled a minute later for the visitors from Nottinghamshire.

But Hawks moved 2-1 in front in the 16th minute as Nurse found the net again, this time after clever set-up play from Chris Arnone.

The hosts extended their advantage to 3-1 in the second period as Mackriel scored from a David Meikle assist, before Arnone went close to adding a fourth goal in the third and final period.

Hawks defended well to prevent Sutton getting back into the game as they extended their winning run, which started with a 7-1 triumph over Billingham Stars in mid-December.

Hawks, who won the play-offs last season, are now up to third – two points behind Billingham with two games in hand.

They remain five points behind leaders Solway Sharks, who they face in Dumfries on Saturday night at 7pm.

Hawks will be bidding to make it back to back wins against the Scottish side after beating them 6-3 in the NLN Cup recently.

Jared Owen’s side then host struggling Manchester Minotaurs at the Blackburn Arena on Sunday night at 5.45pm.