Bulldogs’ Junior Review: Under-14s, 12s and 10s in action

NOT THIS TIME: Jacob Mardell stops one of the 102 shots on his net during the Under-14s 9-3 defeat to Leeds Junior Knights. Picture: Alien Aerial Photography.

IT was a derby day double-header for two of our Bradford Bulldogs’ teams as the Under-12s and Under-14s played host to Leeds Junior Knights.

And it was the visitors who prevailed on both occasions, the Knights’ Under-12s winning 8-0 before their Under-14s prevailed 9-3.

It was the Under-12s who took to the ice first, Reuben Major breaking the deadlock with 4.22 on the board with further first period goals following from Luke Swift, Jaxon Newbiggin and Josh Clarke.

WELL DONE PUPS: Jenson Foster (left) got the Under-12s Spirit of the Game, with Harley Lucas picking up the ‘Top Digger’ award.

Zachary Harling made it 6-0 just five seconds into the second period, with Swift doubling his tally at 20.54 before Harling matched his effort with a second strike of the day just over three minutes later. 

Jenson Foster picked up the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game award, while Harley Lucas was awarded the ‘Top Digger’ helmet.

The Bulldogs Under-14s’ game was also a tough test for the Bulldogs, who found themselves 2-0 down just after seven minutes when Leeds scored twice in the space of eight seconds, Christian Roth breaking the deadlock at 7.12 before Ilan Berman pounced moments later.

But the hosts’ rallied quickly, Charlie Farrow halving the deficit just nine seconds later before Thomas Taylor equalised at 8.58.

Leeds went in at the first intermission 5-2 ahead, however, after further strikes from Harry Marshall, Travis Brammah and Kieran Smith.

GET IN: Thomas Taylor fires home to make it 2-2 in the Under-14s’ derby duel with Leeds Junior Knights. Picture: Alien Aerial Photography

Zach Taylor increased the lead less than two minutes into the second period before three goals six minutes effectively killed the game off, with Ben Elliott making it 7-2 at 23.50 before Marshall and Berman both doubled their personal tallies.

Taylor bagged a second for himself - this time on the power play - to make it 9-3, but it proved nothing more than a consolation, as the Knights ran out deserved winners. 

TOP DIGGER: Defenceman Ethan Marsden gave an impressive display against Leeds Junior Knights. Picture: Alien Aerial Photography.

Jacob Mardell deservedly picked up the Spirit of the Game award for the Bulldogs, after turning away a remarkable 93 of the 102 shots he faced from the visitors. Ethan Marsden picked up the ‘Top Digger’ award for an impressive performance in defence.

Bulldogs’ Under-10s headed to Ice Sheffield for their latest X-ice jamboree, taking on familiar faces in the shape of Sheffield IHA, Nottingham and Sutton.

In terms of results, it was tough going for the pups, but there were plenty of positives to take away from the performances. 

George Clarke got on the board with a goal in the 9-1 loss to Sheffield, while Colt Griffiths - on loan from Sutton for the tournament - was on target in the 8-1 defeat to Nottingham which followed. 

TEAMWORK: Our Under-10s showed plenty of promise once again in their latest X-ICE jamboree.

Colt bagged two more goals in a hard-fought 9-4 loss against his own team, with the Bulldogs’ Evan Bulmer and Finley Mardell finding the back of the net. 

In the fourth and final game against Nottingham, the Bulldogs came off second-best again, but worked hard for their goals, which were scored by Colt and Isaac Ely, another player borrowed from Sutton.

Team manager, Aimee Clarke said: “It was a tough day for our Bulldogs. 

“We unfortunately had a few key players not feeling 100 per cent, and it showed on the ice. 

“But they still committed to playing and gave it everything they had which was great to see.”