Wild are hoping to go one better in Friendship Tournament this time

THE Widnes Wild women’s team travel to Swindon this weekend to take part in the annual British Women’s Ice Hockey Friendship Tournament, which is now in its 22nd year and involves teams from right across the country.

A dozen teams all play against each other in short format games across two days, with the top four advancing to meet in semi-finals and a final on the Sunday evening.

The Wild women came second in the tournament last year just losing out to hosts Swindon Top Cats in an exciting final, and will be keen to do well again this time around. ● The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders lost out 7-5 to a strong Flintshire Phantoms in the Summer Classic Cup match at Deeside on Sunday night.

They trailed 2-1 at the end of the first period and 5-2 after two. A late rally in the third was not enough to salvage the game.

Jack Walker was the Raiders’ top scorer with two goals while Mike Filek, Laurence le Vay and Mike Teinert all netted once.

The Raiders have an early chance to put that defeat behind them when they entertain league leaders Wyre Seagulls this Sunday at Planet Ice Widnes. Both teams will be tussling for league points and qualification positions for the play-off stage of the competition so it should be a closely-fought and entertaining encounter.

The game faces-off at 4.30pm and admission is free.

The same evening, the Halton Huskies take on the Blackburn Buccaneers in a challenge game.

That clash faces-off at 8.30pm and admission is also free of charge.