Havering Hawks show potential at European competition

Havering Hawks showed their potential at the IISHF Challenge Cup in Switzerland recently.

They lost their opening match in Avenches 2-0 to Austria’s Gratz Dukes and went down 6-0 to eventual champions SHC Rossmaison, of Switzerland.

But they rallied to make defending champions Essen Mosquitos (Germany) work hard for a 3-2 win, before beating hosts SHC Rolling Aventicum, who went on to take bronze, with the only goal of their final group game.

Hawks met Gratz again in their last match of the weekend and a 2-0 victory ensured they finished ninth in the rankings.

Coach Ant Laird said: “It was a really good weekend overall – a slow start, but the boys come to life and pressed two of the best teams in Europe in Essen and Aventicum.

“Taking the win in that game proves that we can take some big scalps.

“A little thank you also to Andy Bridge, who has been club captain for 20-plus years and has stepped down from playing after the weekend, for all he’s done for us.”

Hawks will look to secure their place in Europe once again when they head to the National play-offs in Bisley on July 23.

And they can also prepare for Division One action in the British Inline Puck Hockey Association, having had promotion confirmed following their second-place finish this term.

Havering Hawks: Jon Laird (captain), Sam Hayes (assistant), Brandon Ayliffe (asssitant), Neil Smith, Matt Smith, Graham Regan, Zak Redgrave, Andy Bridge, Jake Hall, TJ Anderson, Ewan Hill, Ryan Blackwood, Mike Bedford, Danny Hooper, George Wagerfield; Ant Laird (coach), Paul Firmin (assistant coach).