The Isle of Wight Under 16s Thunder battled bravely but could not stop Cardiff under-16s unbeaten run, as the Welsh side ran out 5-2 winners.

Thunder found themselves a goal down after just two minutes, but it did not rattle them and they pulled the game level after just eight minutes with a goal from Aidan Doughty after fine work from Luke Bontoft.

Cardiff responded almost immediately with a well worked goal which caught the Thunder napping. Even though the period ended with the Thunder a goal down they were still playing some very good hockey.

Thunder pulled the game level after another close range goal scored by Under 14 player Alexander Trendall. For five minutes the visitors were really on the back foot and it was evident that whoever scored the next goal would have the psychological advantage in the game. Unfortunately for the Islanders this goal was scored by Cardiff which once again allowed them to finish the period with a slender one goal advantage.

The final period was a very scrappy affair with the Island team on the receiving end of two close range Cardiff goals which put an end to a final fightback from the Thunder. The period was however overshadowed by some ugly scenes from some of the Cardiff players which resulted in a match ban for one of them and two ten minute misconduct penalties for another two.

The next games for the Thunder are two home games against Oxford on Saturday and Lee Valley on Sunday. The team need to win both of these games to have any chance of making the play offs. Face off is 4.30 on Saturday and 4.45 on Sunday.

Man of the match: Aaron Craft. Spirit of the game: Archie Bicknell.