BISON Ladies' Play-off Trophy weekend in Hull ended with the Wella-backed team winning a third-place decider against close rivals Romford.

Sunday's match went to overtime and penalty shots before the Bison won 3-2.

Their weekend started with a 4-2 semi-final defeat by Whitley Bay Squaws.

In a goalless first period, Cheryl Ross, Chrissy Newman and Karen Probin all went close to scoring. In the second minute of the middle period, Bison goalie Clare Millard saved a Whitley shot but the rebound was snapped up for goal number one.

Whitley struck again 12 seconds later before a breakaway was foiled by Keri van Etteryk, who picked up a tripping penalty in the process.

In the third period, Whitley adopted a physical style of play, singling out Bison top-scorer Newman for attention. One incident led to a Whitley player being ejected from the game, leaving Newman in agony on the ice.

A third Whitley goal, scored short-handed by impressive GB international Claire Oldfield, seemed to bring the Bison to life.

Newman made a surprise return to the ice and she fired a Carla Gregory pass into the top corner of the Whitley net. It was only 27 seconds before Newman struck again with a shot from an acute angle.

Trailing 3-2, Basingstoke still had hopes of forcing a draw but Whitley's Oldfield struck again to put the game beyond reach. The Bison most valuable player award went to Natalie West.

Romford's loss against Northern champions Sheffield meant they had to play Basingstoke for third place. Already without four senior players, including second highest scorer Julie Saint, the Bison lost Canadian Cheryl Ross for Sunday's game against a full-strength Romford team.

Basingstoke had the better of the opening exchanges but it was Romford who scored after five minutes. Emma Toose equalised by pouncing on a rebound from the Romford goalie.

A goal-bound Newman was flattened by Romford's Zoe Gilbert, who earned just a two-minute penalty.

Early in the second period, Nighthawks had just survived another penalty when Karen Probin fired an Emma Toose pass high into the air. The puck flew over all the players, including the netminder, and went in for a second Bison goal.

Less than five minutes later, Gilbert put a backhand shot in the top corner of the Bison goal to equalise.

The final period saw the score remain at 2-2 so the game went to overtime. Natalie West and Newman went close but the stalemate remained and a penalty shoot-out followed.

Natalie West and Newman both scored while Clare Millard saved both Romford efforts. Toose had her shot saved and Millard foiled Romford captain Sophie Gilbert.

Another goal would put the game beyond Nighthawks' reach. Carla Gregory made no mistake and Basingstoke celebrated victory over their arch-rivals. The Bison most-valuable-player award went to Newman.

The Bison season is far from over. They have yet to face Northern champions Sheffield on dates to be arranged before the winners have a chance of promotion to the premier division.