BRILLIANT Blackburn Hawks last night secured the first league title in the club’s 25-year history, winning the National Ice Hockey League Division One North with four games to spare.

The Hawks, led by player-coach Jared Owen, have been unbeaten all season and went into last night’s showdown with Sheffield Spartans knowing that if results went their way they would be crowned winners.

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Before getting underway at Blackburn Ice Arena they learned their nearest challengers, Billingham Stars, were trailing 4-1 at the end of the second period.

It would have been a tall order for the north east side to catch runaway leaders Hawks anyway, but still mathematically possible had they not fallen to Sutton Sting.

But by the end of the first period between Hawks and Spartans, confirmation came through that Billingham had been beaten.

It was down to Hawks to secure their 16th win from 18 this season.

But the home side got off to an uncharacteristically edgy start. There had been chances for both teams but Hawks trailed 1-0 at the end of the first period with Luke Brittle ejected for “facecage violation”.

Sheffield doubled their lead in the second period. But Hawks never know when they are beaten, and upped their game to score four unanswered goals and lead 4-2 going into the final 20 minutes - with Adam Brittle scoring twice, either side of Owen, before Daniel MacKriel struck the fourth.

With the finish line in sight, Adam Brittle completed his hat-trick and Blackburn-born Ollie Lomax added the sixth and final goal to signal the celebrations.

Hawks dedicated their title success to club stalwart and general manager Alan Amos, who died last month after a short illness.

Straight after the game, player-coach Owen said: “It feels a bit surreal at the moment and the emotion around it with Alan.

“I’m really proud of the guys, what we’ve done this season. We vowed from day one to do this and we’ve managed to achieve it.”

Hawks must now turn their attentions to the end of season play-offs, which they won two years ago before finishing as runners-up last year.

“We wanted to win both this season and we’ve done half the job,” said Owen.

The league trophy presentation has yet to be confirmed.