Warriors 1 at Kingston Tournament 2025
On the weekend of Saturday 7th June - Sunday 8th June 2025 our Warriors 1 team competed in the 17th annual Kingston Cobras tournament at Hull Arena for the fourth successive year.
The team made their tournament debut at the same event in 2022, making it to the semi-final stage, followed by their 2023 outing where the team narrowly missed out on progressing to the semis. At last years’ tournament the team had their best outing, reaching the final and picking up the runners-up trophy.
But, since last year there have been several changes in personnel - and not all squad members were available, so it was quite a different team this year.
The 2025 tournament consisted of 10 teams, split into two groups.
The other competing teams were:
Kingston Cobras, Whitley Bay Islanders, Don Valley Vikings, Dumfries Demons, Peterborough Dynamo, Paisley Blackhawks, Peterborough Phoenix, Kingston Reapers and Merseyside Foxes.
Games consisted of two x 17 minute periods with a running clock and in accordance with Jonker’s rules.
Teams were awarded 2 points for a win and an extra point for a period win. Therefore, the maximum number of points per game was 4.
For the eventual finalists, the game would consist of 3 x 15 minute periods.
Team news
The team were without some important players for the tournament : Niks Kamaldins, Sam Cromack, Ellen Gallimore, Chris Blaschko, Andrew Hughes, Jamie Farrar and Chris Norman.
But the team did include some players who were competing at this tournament for the first time: Callum Greenhalgh, Niku Ghaemi and Harvey Galloway.
Roster:
Lewis Pickering (NM)
Joe Quinn (NM)
Chris Giles (C)
Andy Giles (A)
Adam Gibbons
Callum Greenhalgh
Matthew Gatenby
Tyler Heming
Tom Mallon
Jordan Batty
Niku Ghaemi
Simon Morrow
Harvey Galloway
Dylan Noonan
Dzintars Jonuss
Mitch White
Will Gibbons
Netminders
Netminders Lewis Pickering and Joe Quinn. Both ready to share the ice over the course of the weekend.
DAY 1
Game 1 - Kingston Reapers
The Warriors opening game was at 8:50am against tournament newbies and locals, the Kingston Reapers.
The team were keen to get off to a strong start and they put on a dominant display, overwhelming the Kingston Reapers with a commanding 8-0 victory.
The first period saw an offensive explosion from the Warriors, who netted four unanswered goals. Adam Gibbons opened the scoring, setting the tone early. Niku Ghaemi doubled the lead with a slick finish, assisted by Chris Scampton and Chris Giles. Jordan Batty added the third, again with Chris Giles involved, and Matthew Gatenby rounded off the period with a solo effort that left the Reapers reeling.
The Warriors kept up the pressure in the second period. Mitch White found the net for the fifth, set up nicely by Dylan Noonan and Andy Giles. Scampton then got on the scoresheet himself, with Andy Giles picking up another assist. Andy Giles added his name to the goal column with help from his brother Chris and Noonan. Scampton capped off the night with his second goal of the game, sealing the emphatic shut-out win.
A good start for the team. It was a confidence building win, but the team knew that greater challenges lie ahead.
FINAL SCORE
Warriors 8-0 Reapers
Points:
Chris Scampton 2+1
Andy Giles 1+2
Chris Giles 0+3
Dylan Noonan 0+2
Adam Gibbons 1+0
Niku Ghaemi 1+0
Jordan Batty 1+0
Matthew Gatenby 1+0
Mitch White 1+0
Player of the game:
Chris Scampton
Chris Scampton
Player of Game 1
DAY 1
Game 2 - Paisley Blackhawks
The team faced a tough test in their second tournament game against the formidable Paisley Blackhawks — a team that had handed them a heavy 10-1 defeat in last year’s competition.
This time, however, the Warriors showed significant progress, putting in a determined performance, despite falling 0-3.
From the first puck drop, the Warriors demonstrated more composure and resilience than in their previous encounter with the Blackhawks. Joe Quinn’s goaltending remained solid throughout, limiting the Blackhawks’ scoring chances and keeping the game within reach.
While the Warriors weren’t able to find the net, they created several promising opportunities and held their own against a technically strong opponent.
FINAL SCORE
Warriors 0-3 Blackhawks
Player of the game:
Joe Quinn
Joe Quinn
Player of Game 2
DAY 1
Game 3 - Peterborough Phoenix
The team bounced back in style in Game 3 of the tournament with a dominant 7-1 win over Peterborough Phoenix — a team they had never faced before. Despite the unfamiliar opposition, the Warriors quickly found their rhythm and took control of the game from the outset.
The scoring opened with Mitch White finding the net off a clean feed from Tyler Heming. Tom Mallon then doubled the lead, assisted by Harvey Galloway and Dzintars Jonuss. Andy Giles added the third with a composed finish after a setup from Dylan Noonan, giving the Warriors a comfortable lead heading into the second period.
The second period saw the Warriors turn up the pressure. Chris Giles slotted home a rebound from a powerful shot by Harvey Galloway to make it 4-0.
Mitch White grabbed his second of the night thanks to a sharp pass from Noonan, before Noonan got on the scoresheet himself with help from Andy Giles and White.
Tyler Heming wrapped up the scoring with the team’s seventh, capping a slick passing move from Noonan and Andy Giles.
It was a good way to end day one of the tournament as the team could now go and enjoy their evening together with some food and drinks.
Final score:
Warriors 7-1 Phoenix
Points:
Dylan Noonan 1+3
Mitch White 2+1
Andy Giles 1+2
Tyler Heming 1+1
Tom Mallon 1+0
Jordan Batty 0+1
Chris Giles 1+0
Harvey Galloway 0+1
Dzintars Jonuss 0+1
Player of the game:
Callum Greenhalgh
Callum Greenhalgh
Player of Game 3
DAY 1 COMPLETE
The team ended day one with two wins and one defeat, leaving them still in contention for a semi-final spot, but they would face their toughest opponents the following day and need to pick up some points to stand a realistic chance of progressing.
But for now, it was time to relax, eat, drink and be merry!
No, these are not album covers for new boy band ‘Waterfront’ - a few of the lads went out into Hull for more drinks and merriment and ended up in a club by this name.
DAY 2
Game 4 - Don Valley Vikings
The morning after the night before! It was another early start for the team as they faced the Don Valley Vikings at 9:50am.
With the final group game against tournament favourites Peterborough Dynamo looming, this game felt like the Warriors' best chance to pick up crucial points.
But unfortunately the team faced a set-back in the tournament, falling 2-7 to a well-drilled Vikings side.
Despite a promising start and moments of strong play, the Warriors were ultimately outpaced by the Vikings’ consistent pressure and clinical finishing.
The first period ended 3-1 in favour of Don Valley, with Mitch White putting the Warriors on the board with an unassisted effort that showcased his individual skill.
Chris Scampton added the Warriors’ second goal in the second period, finishing off a pass from Si Morrow. This made it 2-4 and the Warriors felt they were back in it.
But the Vikings scored almost immediately afterwards to restore their 3-goal cushion at 2-5, causing a huge amount of frustration on the Warriors bench.
The Vikings continued to apply pressure and pulled away with two more goals in the second frame, making it 7-2 by the final buzzer.
Final score:
Warriors 2-7 Vikings
Points:
Mitch White 1+0
Chris Scampton 1+0
Simon Morrow 0+1
DAY 2
Game 5 - Peterborough Dynamo
The team faced their toughest challenge yet in Game 5, coming up against a formidable Peterborough Dynamo side packed with talented Latvian and Czech players.
The Dynamo had already turned heads in the tournament, and they lived up to their billing as favourites with a commanding 7-1 victory.
The first period was relentless, as the Warriors found themselves under constant pressure — defending what felt like a tidal wave of attacks.
Peterborough surged to a 6-0 lead by the end of the opening frame, their speed, skill, and cohesion proving difficult to contain.
Despite the scoreline, the Warriors showed character and composure in the second period.
They managed to steady the ship and even found the net, with Mitch White scoring a well-worked goal off a pass from Tyler Heming. The final period ended 2-1, a small but hard-earned positive the team can take forward.
It was a challenging encounter against a top-tier side, but the Warriors kept their heads up and battled to the end — a testament to their spirit and resilience in a tough tournament outing.
As the team did not pick up any points on Day 2, they did not progress to the semi-final stage. But, the team gave a good account of themselves overall and there are both positives and learnings to take away from the experience.
Final score:
Warriors 1-8 Dynamo
Goals:
Mitch White 1+0
Tyler Heming 0+1
Tournament points scorers
Mitch White 5+1
Andy Giles 2+4
Dylan Noonan 1+5
Chris Scampton 3+1
Chris Giles 1+3
Tyler Heming 1+2
Jordan Batty 1+1
Harvey Galloway 0+2
Adam Gibbons 1+0
Niku Ghaemi 1+0
Matthew Gatenby 1+0
Tom Mallon 1+0
Simon Morrow 0+1
Dzintars Jonuss 0+1
What a weekend!
Aside from the hockey, it was also a fun social weekend for the team, being able to hang-out with team-mates, having some laughs and a few beers etc.
Thanks to Mike Forbes and the Kingston Cobras for hosting this tournament again and extending the invite to us.
Thanks to our Manager Lisa Speed, who always gives up her free time to be by our sides.
The final was eventually contested between the two teams that beat the Warriors on day two - Don Valley Vikings and Peterborough Dynamo and as predicted, the latter were victorious. Congratulations to Dynamo on picking up the trophy:
Our first team are back in IHSC Cup action in a couple of weeks. See the details below:
