Dragons Players To Play In Bradford Charity Game For Blood Cancer UK

Deeside Dragons' Damarni James (Photo by Adam Bassett)

There is yet more charity ice hockey on offer next weekend as Dragons players Matty Barlow, Rhys Edwards and Damarni James will all be playing in a charity game at Bradford on Saturday 9^th May in aid of Blood Cancer UK.

The game is part of Bradford Ice Rink’s 60th anniversary celebrations and will feature a number of current and former Bulldogs players. 

All three players learned their early hockey at Bradford – who have a highly respected junior development programme – and also played for the Bulldogs in the Laidler Division. Interestingly enough, they then also all spent time at Widnes before joining the Dragons for this season.

The game on Saturday faces off at 4.45pm with doors opening at 4pm. Tickets are Adults £5, OAPS/Students £3 and Under 16s £1 - and spectators can pay on the door.

There will be a raffle, 50-50 draw, Chuck-a-Puck plus plenty of other ways for spectators to donate to the charity.

You can find out more in the run-up to the charity game on the Bradford Bulldogs Facebook page HERE

Blood Cancer UK website HERE

Dragons Players At Rob Craig Charity Game

Deeside's James Parsons at the Rob Craig Memorial game (Photo by @_jiminal)

Deeside was well represented at the annual Rob Craig Memorial match thst took place at Blackburn Arena on Sunday, featuring a wide range of current and former NIHL league players, along with recreational players from various north west clubs.

The game is played every year in memory of former Blackburn recreational player Rob Craig who took his own life in 2017 and aims to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities.

A healthy crowd of over 1000 cheered the teams on and they were treated to an entertaining goal-fest worthy of the occasion.

The “Blue” team included current D2 Dragons player/coach James Parsons while Marc Lovell and Ethan Mayoh played on the “Black” team.  Dragons Assistant Coach Steve Hirst made up the Deeside contingent by running the Black team’s bench for the game.

The money raised from this year’s event will go to the CALM Zone (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Co-organiser – and Team Blue bench coach for the game - Wez Spurrett said:

“We aren’t finished with our fundraising yet as we have the jersey auction to go, but it’s on plan to beat our record last year of £12,700.”

For the record, Team Black beat Team Blue 14-10 but, on this occasion, the taking part was certainly much more important than the winning.

You can see lots more great match photos from Jiminal - and keep up with the latest fundraising news - on the Rob Craig Memorial Game's Facebook Page HERE  

And find out more about the Calm Zone charity HERE

Dragonettes On England Duty

Deeside players with the runners up trophy (Photo by Katy Lennon)

Four Deeside players were in the England Under 13 girls team that came second in the Lions Easter Cup tournament at Most in the Czech Republic.

Violet Lennon, Poppy Ward and Hallie Morgan all play for the Dragons Under 16 Girls team while Ava Crumbie actually plays for the Billingham girls team but also for the Dragons U14 mixed side as well. The Deeside contingent was completed by Katy Lennon as team manager. 

It was quite a test for the England girls as the tournament was classed as Under 14, so most of the opposing players were older than they were.

In the group games, Team England beat Frisk Asker from Norway 5-1 - with both Morgan and Crumbie scoring a goal each - and the Czech Foxes from Vysocina 2-0, with Crumbie scoring the second goal and Ward getting an assist on the first.

They lost their other group game 4-0 to another Czech team – the Warriors from Brno.

Team England then beat the Vysocina Foxes in the semi final 3-2 – with Poppy Ward scoring the opening goal and Crumbie firing in the winner. In the final, the girls met the Warriors again but this was a much closer game, as they only very narrowly lost 2-1.

Ava Crumbie finished the tournament as England’s top scorer with 3 goals and 1 assist. Poppy Ward got 1+1 and Hallie Morgan 1+0 - and they both received Player of the Match awards. 

Violet Lennon put in a number of superb displays in the England goal and had the distinction of being named netminder of the tournament.

You can see the full results and player stats from the tournament HERE