BLACKBURN Hawks slipped to fifth place in their English Challenge Cup (North) group after a 7-1 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday night.

The Hawks were always likely to struggle to at their English Premier League opponents, who lie second in the division above, behind only Telford Tigers.

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Jared Owen’s side welcomed Daniel Brittle back in goal following his absence since mid October and he managed to complete the full game on his return, saving 85 per cent of the 48 shots he faced.

The defeat saw the Hawks slip below the Phantoms in the cup standings, but as always they were pleased to get an outing against a side from a higher division.

The match started well for the Blackburn side as they went ahead after 12 minutes and 52 seconds, with Adam Brittle scoring the goal and Oliver Lomax claiming the assist.

But the advantage lasted just seven seconds before the Phantoms levelled through Alan Lack, who went on to score four of their seven goals.

It was one way traffic from then on and the Hawks racked up 14 penalties as they struggled to compete with their hosts.

On 20 minutes James Ferrara made it 2-1 and four minutes later Lack added the third.

After 38 minutes it was four when Ferrara scored again and within two minutes Lack had his hat-trick.

Marc Levers got the sixth in the 44th minute and Lack completed the rout ten minutes from time.

Jordan Bannon spent 12 minutes in the bin and player coach Owen was in there for 10 minutes during the match, which made the visitors task even tougher.

The Hawks remain above Solway Sharks and Billingham Stars in their Challenge Cup group, but are behind the four EPL sides, Telford Tigers, Manchester Phoenix, Sheffield Steeldogs and Peterborough Phantoms.

Owen’s side are in action in the Challenge Cup again on Saturday, when they welcome the Steeldogs, who are eighth of nine in the EPL, to the Blackburn Ice Arena (5.45pm).

On Sunday the Hawks travel to Whitley Warriors (5pm) as they return to the bread and butter of the Moralee Conference. After nine games they have won eight and drawn one for an unbeaten start to the season.

Solway Sharks’ emphatic 15-1 victory over the Manchester Minotaurs on Saturday has reduced the gap to five points, but the Hawks will be looking for two points from their final game before Christmas.