NORTH Ayrshire Wild continued their fine early season form with another big win in the Stuart Robertson Cup over local rivals Kilmarnock Thunder.

This was despite them being missing some key players in both forward and defensive areas, which allowed some of the club's U20's players to step up and fill in and they did so without looking out of place.

Taking the 5-1 first period lead meant that the Wild were in control from very early on and able to dictate the play throughout with some fine passing and finishing.

Goals came from throughout the team, with Alan Maitland topping the scoring chart with six goals, proving himself to be too much of a handful for the Thunder defence. He was closely followed by Ryan Parkin, who notched four goals and three assists for a dominating performance.

All-in-all, a great performance for the Wild, although some defensive lapses later on allowed Kilmarnock on to the scoresheet more than they should have been.

Final score: 18-7 to the Wild

Man of the Match - Scott Blackwell.

STARS (U14's) travelled through to Murrayfield for a 12.15pm face-off.

Stars opened the scoring in 17 seconds and this was to set the bar for the game with another five goals finding the back of the Murrayfield net in the first period. Murrayfield managed to get a goal but the Stars were now at eight.

Murrayfield came out fighting in the third period, scoring another three goals, but this wasn't enough with another goal to the Stars making the final score 9-4 to the visitors. Dylan Murray bagged a hat-trick and there were two goals apiece for Cole McMurdie and Flynn Massie and goals from Josh Carslaw and Jack Neil. Man of the Match - Adam Bainbridge.

PREDATORS (U16's) were also in Murrayfield for a 4.45pm face-off. The first period finished 1-1 and the second 3-1 to Predators

Final Score was 4-3 to Murrayfield as they won with a goal in the last five seconds. The local side were unlucky. Scorers were Josh Carslaw with a double and Cameron Murray. Man of the Match: Evan McTaggart (netminder).

SUNDAY saw 43 players and their parents take part in a team building day laid on by the club at Tartan Warrior near Kincardine.

Everyone had a great time, the sun was shining, ground was dry but of course they managed to find and wallow in the only wet area after completing the course. There were lots of happy, if mucky and tired players by the end of the day. Thanks go to fundraiser Cheryl Lamberton for arranging this.

The North Ayrshire Ice Hockey Club Learn To Play/U10's are heading to Fife Ice Arena this weekend to take part in their first game of the season.

Saturday night sees the Wild welcome Kilmarnock Thunder to Auchenharvie Ice Rink for the return leg of last weekend's game.

Sunday sees the start of selection for the Scotland national teams at all age groups. NAIHC are delighted to have 15 boys who have been selected at 4 age groups. They will travel to Dundee Ice Arena for their first trial session, which includes sessions on-ice, off-ice, gym and classroom. Players selected are:

Under 11's - Rocco Murray, Lennon Deeney, Caiden MacCall

Under 13's - Liam Houston, Flynn Massie. Jacob Woods, Adam Bainbridge

Under 15's - Jack Neil, Cole McMurdie, Dylan Murray, Harry Campbell, Kyle Forsyth.

Under 19's - Zak Kenneth, Callum Forsyth, Hayden Woods

Good luck to all the boys, who have done so well to be invited and can now showcase their skills.