Bulldogs Junior Review: Under-12s and Under-14s match reports

THAT’S THE SPIRIT: Oliver Bolland (left) took the Under-14 Spirit of the Game award, while sharp-shooting skipper Bentley McEwen did the same for the Under-12s after firing FIVE goals, while Evan Bulmer won the 12s’ Hardest Worker Hat.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-12s were involved in a thrilling 15-goal clash against rivals Billingham Junior Stars - sadly coming off second best in an 8-7 defeat. 

It was a riveting spectacle between two teams going all out for the win at The Pound, the Bulldogs striking first when captain Bentley McEwen found the target with 3.10 on the clock. 

But the hosts found themselves behind at the first break after Harry Thompson and Archie Dawson hit back for the Stars. 

It was in the middle period where most of the action took place, the Stars forging 4-1 ahead inside a minute of the restart through Alfie McAlpin and Wilf Moutrey. 

Then came the comeback, inspired by McEwen, who made it 4-2 at 19.31 before his hat-trick strike three minutes later reduced the deficit to just the one goal. 

A second for Moutrey at 23.51 restored the two-goal cushion for the Stars but the game turned in the 33rd minute McEwen scored twice within 28 seconds of each other to take his own tally to five in what was now a 5-5 game. 

That was how it stayed going into the second break before Moutrey completed his hat-trick at 38.15 to put the visitors ahead again. 

But the Bulldogs rallied and found themselves ahead for only the second time in the game when Timur Sprogis - at 39.08 - and then Evan Bulmer - at 44.28 - both found the net to make it 7-6 with just under 10 minutes to go. 

But Johnson was quick to respond barely a minute later with his second of the game for the Stars to make it 7-7, the crucial blow coming in the 48th minute when Moutrey scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, despite the best efforts of the Bulldogs in the remaining five minutes. 

Bentley McEwen was awarded the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game, while Ewan Bulmer took the Hardest Worker Hat. 

The Under-14s followed their younger team-mates on to the ice as they played host to Widnes Wild Academy.

It was an uphill struggle from an early stage, Evan Walker’s opener after just 68 seconds setting the tone as further goals followed from Caleb Eddlestone (2) and Noah Marfleet before the first period break. 

After the break, Widnes extended their advantage to 6-0 inside 20 minutes through further strikes from Daniel Teinert and Walker. 

Eddlestone sealed his hat-trick at 22.06 with goals from Blake Dean-Nicholls, Ethan Liversage and Max Goodey (2) rounded off the scoring for a deserved 12-0 win. 

Oliver Bolland picked up the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award.