IT was back-to-back blues for Blackburn Hawks as they crashed to double defeat in successive games.

Bobby Haig's men slumped to a 2-8 defeat to unbeaten league leaders Sheffield Scimitars in an English National League (North) clash at the Arena.

And 24 hours later, the Hawks went down 2-6 in an English Cup tie, on the road against arch-rivals Altrincham Aces.

Defeat in tandem was bad enough, but coach Haig was left despairing at the attitude of his players and their performances over two games.

"Very, very disappointing, we just didn't show up and compete," was the Scot's verdict.

"We went into the Sheffield game on the back of a 4-2 win over Whitley and feeling confident, but some of my senior players simply didn't deliver."

The Yorkshire side, which included the likes of ex-Superleague star Les Millie, were 4-0 up by the end of the second period. The Hawks hit back, with strikes from Haig and newcomer Chris Black, but the Scimitars ran out worthy winners in the end.

Haig said: "If I have to bench my seniors - and I include myself in this criticism - in favour of younger players who will give their all, then I will.

And if we lose every game with the youngsters giving 100 per cent, then I'll stand by the decision."

Games between the Hawks and the Aces are usually tight, hard-fought affairs, but the cup-tie never lived up to the pre-match anticipation.

"We had no Under 19s and we also found it difficult to raise our game after the disappointment of Sheffield," commented Haig.

The first period was goalless, but by the end of the second, the hosts were leading 3-1 and Blackburn heads were starting to go down. Haig scored again and Craig Sharman knocked one in, but the Aces remained on top to grab the points.

"Perhaps we need an injection of some new players," suggested Haig. "It's been a bad weekend and I have got some serious thinking to do."

BLACKBURN HAWK...2 SHEFFIELD SCIMITARS...8

(English National Hockey League North)

ALTRINCHAM ACES...6 BLACKBURN HAWKS...2

(English National Hockey League North Cup)