Block 12 Backcheck

So as we prepare to bid a fond farewell to 2011 and say a big hello to 2012, here's my take on the year just gone for Blackburn Hawks.

It'd be fair to say there's been more good than bad. Finishing fourth in the league and making the play-offs was a definite improvement on previous seasons. The semi-final performance against Whitley, particularly at home, laid down a marker the team could aspire to on a weekly basis.

This season has taken some time to bed down, with road wins at Whitley and Sheffield being two obvious highlights, but two shut-outs against Trafford showed there's still inconsistencies which need eradicating. The final two home games of the year - against Telford and especially Trafford - once again showed the level which I'm sure Jared and Dangie will be looking to bring to the table every week.

The squad is probably as strong as it's been in quite a while. We've two strong netminders in Dangy and Stuey Ashton - with the latter proving a more than capable back-up on the occasions he's been thrown in. Hopefully the pair of them will push each other on. On 'D', Chris Arnone and Scott Glover have struck up an excellent partnership, while Craig Rogers and Chad Briggs have been solid. Bobby Streetly has stepped up from ENL2 and proved an astute addition and Lance Derbyshire adds strength to the unit, which we've lacked in previous seasons. Ollie Lomax has been missed and I'm sure everyone has their fingers crossed he gets the all-clear to return in February. Another pleasing aspect has been seeing Troy Evans make the step-up from the juniors.

Up front we now carry a potent threat. While the addition of our new import, Sami Narkia, has attracted all the attention there've been a number of players stepping up to the mark. Jordan Bannon looks an excellent prospect while Ric Ravey's energy and drive have added a new dimension. The new line of Narkia, Aaron Davies and Tom King seems to be working particularly well - to such an extent you'd be hard pushed to call which our top line is. Rick Hughes and Matt Viney have weighed in with good points totals and with Jared and Sam Dunford in the mix we're in pretty good shape. Brian Worrall's return from Trafford has alomst gone unnoticed by some, but his brilliant goal against the Metros showed what he brings to the team.

No doubt Jared would like to bring in a few more bodies - which coach doesn't - and if we're to ever properly challenge the likes of Billingham and Whitley, then rolling four lines is probably what's needed. All-in-all 2011 has been a step in the right direction. Here's hoping 2012 continues in the same vein.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.