Stars shining in their defeat of Renegades

WHITLEY Renegades lost 6-3 to Billingham Stars in English Under-20 North League.

Renegades went into the game without Alex Nergaard (suspension) and Kieron Downs (holiday).

They handed under-20 debuts to Thomas Fraser, Ethan McLaughlin and Adam Harrison - the latter having joined from Billingham in the summer.

Netminder Jack Wakefield and forward Lewis Crisp are also former Billingham players.

Billingham took the lead after three minutes through Ethan Hehir, only to be pegged back when Anthony Wetherall scored for Renegades less than three minutes later.

It was nip and tuck for most of the opening period, neither side managing to gain an advantage.

Joseph Walls restored Stars’ lead in the 26th minute and two minutes later the Teessiders brought on netminder Thomas Brown to replace Alex Kelly.

Brown was picking the puck up out of the net within four minutes of coming on, Ross Dixon converting on the powerplay for 2-2 at 31.46.

The home side soon stepped up a gear and Hehir grabbed a four-minute brace to complete a hat-trick and send his side into the second interval break 4-2 ahead.

Wakefield was the busier of the netminders in the final period as he made a string of fine saves to keep the score down.

The home side were on the powerplay when Shaun Galloway netted the fifth at 48.01.

Renegades were on the powerplay soon afterwards but failed to capitalise - only to see Billingham add a sixth as a pass from Callum Wilkinson set up James Hellens.

He raced clear to send in a very powerful slapshot which proved too hot for Wakefield to hold.

There was still time for Renegades to convert a second powerplay goal as Dixon drove n his second of the game with 44 seconds to play.

■■WHITLEY Bay Squaws began their Womens Premier League season with a 6-6 draw at Ice Sheffield against Sheffield Shadows.

New signing Abigail Culshaw (3), Steph Towns (2) and Kate Ord were on target for the North Tynesiders.