BLACKBURN Hawks extended their unbeaten run to five games with back-to-back victories over Altrincham Aces and Sheffield Scimitars.

What had appeared to be the trickiest of prospects - arch-rivals Aces at the Arena followed by a Roses clash in Sheffield - turned into a winning weekend for Bobby Haig's men.

The Aces, who always seem to raise their game in Blackburn, were first out of the blocks and raced into an early 2-0 lead.

But with five minutes to go in the first period, the Hawks rallied with three rapid strikes to turn round 3-2 up.

From that point, the hosts took control, emerging comfortable 7-4 winners in this first derby clash of the season.

Haig hit a hat-trick and Craig Sharman, who only returned from a brief unhappy spell with the Aces two weeks ago, proved his point in grabbing a brace.

Also finding the net on two occasions was hotshot Gordon Whyte.

"We gave them a start, but then we got our act together," said Haig. "They were missing Billy Price, who used to play for us and one or two others, but they could still play a bit.

"It wasn't easy, I fancy them to be up near the top by the end of the season."

Twenty-four hours later, the Hawks were in South Yorkshire where the locals, although struggling towards the bottom of the league, were determined to thwart their visitors.

"It's a tight rink and difficult to play our type of game. But we stuck at it and earned the points."

The coach was again the leading hitman, scoring two, with Sharman and Whyte in full support, scoring one apiece.

At the end of September Haig was despairing of his troops and considering his future.

With the born-again Hawks unbeaten in October, he couldn't be more delighted. "I can't praise the guys enough," he said. "We talked through our problems, everyone listened and responded.

"Things are now going well now."

RESULTS: HAWKS...7 ALTRINCHAM ACES...4

SHEFFIELD SCIMITARS...1 HAWKS...4