Warriors¹ at Cobras Tournament 2026
On the weekend of 6th–7th June 2026, Leeds Warriors¹ travelled to Hull Arena to compete in the 24th annual Kingston Cobras Tournament, marking the club's fifth consecutive appearance at the event.
The Warriors first entered the tournament in 2022 and immediately made their mark by reaching the semi-finals. They followed that up with another strong showing in 2023, narrowly missing out on a place in the last four. Their most successful campaign came in 2024, when they progressed all the way to the final and returned home with the runners-up trophy.
Last year's tournament proved more challenging, however, as a mixed set of results saw the team fall short of a place in the knock-out stages.
With another strong squad assembled and plenty of fond memories from previous visits to Hull, the Warriors arrived eager to make another deep run in the competition.
The 2026 tournament consisted of 10 teams, split into two groups.
The other competing teams were:
Kingston Cobras, Whitley Bay Islanders, Don Valley Vikings, Dumfries Demons, Paisley Blackhawks, Grimsby Trawlers, Trafford Thunder, Swindon Steelhawks and Halton Huskies.
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 Warriors arrived in Hull with a slightly different roster to previous years, with injuries and player availability issues meaning several familiar faces were unable to make the trip.
As a result, the team would be without some key contributors. Most notably, back-up netminder Joe Quinn was ruled out through illness, leaving Lewis Pickering to shoulder the goal-tending duties for the entire weekend.
The tournament would also mark a first appearance for both Andrew Hughes and Adam Tomlinson. Tomlinson, in particular, had earned his opportunity after stepping up from Warriors 2 during the season and would now get the chance to test himself on one of the club's biggest weekends of the year.
There was also some positive news for Leeds, however, as Sam Cromack and Niks Kamaldins were both available this time around after missing out on last year's tournament.
Roster:
Lewis Pickering (NM)
Defence pair 1
Chris Giles (C)
Adam Gibbons
Defence pair 2
Tyler Heming
Andrew Hughes
Defence pair 3
Tom Mallon
Simon Morrow
Forward line 1
Andy Giles (A)
Dylan Noonan
Will Gibbons
Forward line 2
Mitch White
Niks Kamaldins
Jordan Batty
Forward line 3
Adam Tomlinson
Sam Cromack (A)
Harvey Galloway
The Warriors changing room
The Warriors have had this spot 4 years out of 5 - and this was their preference.
The Warriors played their first 2 games in their black uniforms.
DAY 1 - Game 1
v Kingston Cobras
First period
The Warriors' tournament campaign got underway at the rather unforgiving time of 8:02am against tournament hosts, the Kingston Cobras. The Cobras are always a competitive side and, based on their recent IHSC Cup performances, the Warriors knew they were in for a stern opening test.
As expected, the game was a closely contested affair from the opening face-off. Both teams looked eager to establish early control, but it quickly became apparent that this would be a tightly fought battle in which every goal could prove crucial.
Fortunately for Leeds, it was the Warriors who struck first. Alternate Captain Sam Cromack found the back of the net midway through the opening 17-minute period to give the Warriors a deserved 1-0 lead.
The game continued at a frantic pace, with both teams exchanging chances in a contest that felt like two heavyweights trading blows.
The Cobras eventually found a way back into the game, bundling home a scrappy equaliser, but the Warriors refused to be discouraged and continued to push forward in search of another breakthrough.
As the first period entered its closing stages, the puck broke loose in the neutral zone and was gathered by Mitch White. Skating over the blue line, he unleashed a thunderous slap shot that flew into the top corner, giving the Cobras netminder absolutely no chance.
2-1 Warriors.
With only minutes remaining in the period, the goal put Leeds in a strong position. Considering the early start and the quality of the opposition, it had been an impressive opening display from the Warriors.
However, the hosts had other ideas. Just before the buzzer sounded, the Cobras grabbed a late equaliser to send the teams into the break locked at 2-2.
As a result, neither side claimed the bonus point awarded for winning the period, leaving everything still to play for in the second half.
Second period
The Warriors began the final period in positive fashion and were rewarded for their efforts following some excellent work from Tyler Heming and Dylan Noonan, who combined to set up Andy Giles. Giles made no mistake, firing home to put Leeds back in front at 3-2.
Having fought hard throughout the game, the Warriors suddenly found themselves within touching distance of a valuable opening-day victory.
However, the Cobras were not about to let the contest slip away. Sensing the urgency of the situation, they raised their intensity and began to apply sustained pressure in search of an equaliser.
The Warriors dug deep and did their best to protect their slender advantage, but the hosts eventually found a way through, drawing level at 3-3 and setting up a tense finale.
As the clock wound down, both teams recognised the danger of committing a costly error. Chances came and went at either end, but neither side could find a decisive breakthrough.
The game eventually finished 3-3, with both teams left to reflect on missed opportunities while also taking satisfaction from earning a point in what had been a highly competitive opening fixture of the weekend.
FINAL SCORE
Cobras 3-3 Warriors
Points:
Sam Cromack 1+0
Mitch White 1+0
Andy Giles 1+0
Dylan Noonan 0+1
Tyler Heming 0+1
Player of the game:
Andrew Hughes
Andrew Hughes
Player of Game 1
DAY 1 - Game 2
v Don Valley Vikings
First period
The Warriors faced a stern test in their second game of the tournament as they took on the ever-impressive Don Valley Vikings. With the puck dropping at 11:52am, there had been little time to recover following the opening game against the Cobras.
Although the Vikings had arrived with a shorter bench than usual due to several players competing in other tournaments, they still boasted a strong roster and were expected to be one of the toughest opponents in the competition.
The Warriors had come close on a number of occasions over the years but had never managed to defeat a Don Valley Vikings side. However, every meeting brings a fresh opportunity to rewrite history.
The Warriors made an encouraging start, remaining disciplined defensively while looking to exploit opportunities at the other end of the ice.
One such opportunity arrived when the puck found its way to Andrew Hughes at the blue line. His shot through traffic appeared to catch the Vikings netminder by surprise, possibly screened by bodies in front, and the puck trickled over the line to give the Warriors a shock 1-0 lead.
The Warriors dug deep for the remainder of the period and successfully held off the Vikings' attacks, preserving their advantage until the buzzer. In doing so, they also claimed the bonus point awarded for winning the period.
Second period
The opening period had taken plenty out of the Warriors, with the Vikings applying relentless offensive pressure throughout. As the second period progressed, the Warriors found themselves caught between protecting their slender lead and searching for the insurance of a second goal.
The Vikings continued to press and eventually found a way through. Midway through the period, one of their forwards skated behind the Warriors net before tucking a wrap-around neatly inside the far post to level the game.
At 1-1, it looked as though the Warriors' best route to a positive result would be to stay disciplined defensively and secure a hard-earned draw against one of the tournament favourites.
However, there was still plenty of hockey left to play and the Vikings sensed an opportunity. Their pressure continued to build and, unfortunately for the Warriors, one of Sheffield's standout forwards produced a moment of real quality, picking out the top corner with a clinical finish to put his side ahead.
It proved to be the decisive goal, giving the Vikings a narrow victory and leaving the Warriors heartbroken.
It was a bitter blow for the Warriors, who had come agonisingly close to earning a confidence-boosting draw against one of the strongest teams in the competition. Nevertheless, they could take some consolation from claiming a valuable point and from a performance that showed they could compete with the very best.
FINAL SCORE
Vikings 2-1 Warriors
Points:
Andrew Hughes 1+0
Player of the game:
Lewis Pickering
Lewis Pickering
Player of Game 2
Food break
With the Warriors' third and final game of the day not scheduled to face off until 16:37, the team had a welcome opportunity to refuel at their favourite local eatery, Nibbles.
The extended break also gave players time to check into their hotels, Airbnbs and other accommodation, put their feet up for a while, and perhaps even enjoy a well-earned beer before returning to the rink for the afternoon’s action.
DAY 1 - Game 3
v Trafford Thunder
First period
Next up were tournament newcomers Trafford Thunder. Having watched them earlier in the day, it was clear they were operating with a very short bench. We later learned that a number of players had withdrawn shortly before the tournament, significantly weakening their roster.
Unfortunately for the Thunder, that lack of depth was reflected in the game itself as the Warriors took control from the opening face-off.
Mitch White led the charge, scoring on each of his first four shifts to put the Warriors firmly in command at 4-0. Dylan Noonan then added another before the break to cap off a dominant first period and give the Warriors a comfortable 5-0 lead..
Second period
The second period continued in much the same fashion, with the Warriors maintaining their momentum and applying constant pressure in the offensive zone.
Mitch White added a further two goals to his tally, completing a remarkable double hat-trick.
Captain Chris Giles also found the net with a powerful slap shot after good work from brother Andy Giles, while two more goals in the period saw the Warriors reach double figures.
Harvey Galloway added his name to the scoresheet later in the frame, as did Sam Cromack, rounding off another productive period for the team.
It was the perfect way to end the opening day of the tournament, allowing the team to head into the evening in high spirits and enjoy some well-earned food and drinks together.
It was also the first game where the team were able to wear their red tournament uniform.
The team picked up the maximum 4 points from this game, which brought them to 6 points at the end of day one.
Final score:
Warriors 10-1 Thunder
Points:
Mitch White 6+0
Dylan Noonan 1+0
Sam Cromack 1+0
Chris Giles 1+0
Harvey Galloway 1+0
Andy Giles 0+1
Player of the game:
Mitch White
Mitch White
Player of Game 3
DAY 1 COMPLETE
The Warriors ended the first day of the tournament with a record of one win, one loss and one draw, leaving their hopes of a semi-final place very much alive.
However, qualification for the knockout stages would require positive results from both of Sunday's fixtures against Grimsby Trawlers and Dumfries Demons – a challenging task against two strong opponents.
For now, though, thoughts could turn away from the ice. With day one complete, it was time for the team to relax, enjoy some food and drinks, and make the most of the evening before the battle resumed the following morning.
DAY 2 - Game 4
v Grimsby Trawlers
First period
The scheduling was certainly kinder to the Warriors this year. Unlike previous tournaments, there was no brutal early Sunday morning face-off following a night of food, drinks and festivities, with this game getting underway at the much more civilised time of 11:12am.
However, any hopes of a gentle start quickly disappeared as the Trawlers came flying out of the blocks. From the opening face-off, they applied relentless pressure, pinning the Warriors deep in their own zone for extended spells and forcing players to stay out for longer shifts than they would have liked.
The Warriors desperately needed opportunities to change lines and regroup, but Grimsby's intensity made that difficult. It was a real test of discipline, resilience and defensive organisation.
To their credit, the Warriors stood firm and weathered the storm for almost the entirety of the first period. Unfortunately, with just two minutes remaining on the clock, the Trawlers finally found a breakthrough to take a 1-0 lead.
It was a disappointing blow given the amount of hard work the team had put into keeping their opponents at bay, but the game remained finely balanced heading into the latter stages.
The team re-group at the interval.
Second period
During the interval, the Warriors re-grouped and recognised the need to offer more of an offensive threat if they were to get back into the game.
The response was immediate, with the Warriors producing a much stronger second-period performance and enjoying several sustained spells of pressure in the Trawlers' zone.
The increased attacking intent eventually paid dividends. Jordan Batty found space at the back post and was on hand to convert after excellent work from Andrew Hughes and Tyler Heming, bringing the Warriors level at 1-1.
With momentum now swinging in the Warriors’ favour, the team enjoyed their best spell of the game.
Midway through the period, they created three gilt-edged scoring opportunities in quick succession but were unable to find the finishing touch.
As is often the case in hockey, those missed chances proved costly. Moments later, the Warriors were caught out after committing too many players on the forecheck while also making an ill-timed line change. The combination left the Trawlers with a straightforward two-on-one break, and they made no mistake, sliding the puck across for the other Trawlers forward to slam the puck home.
This dealt a significant blow to the Warriors' hopes.
Trailing 2-1 with around seven minutes remaining, the Warriors were forced to chase the game. As they pushed forward in search of another equaliser, they naturally began to take greater risks.
Unfortunately, those risks were punished late on when the Trawlers struck again with just two minutes remaining, extending their advantage to 3-1 and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
The final buzzer sounded with the score at 3-1 to the Trawlers, a result that not only denied the Warriors any points from the contest but also mathematically ended their hopes of progressing to the semi-final stage.
Final score:
Trawlers 3-1 Warriors
Points:
Jordan Batty 1+0
Andrew Hughes 0+1
Tyler Heming 0+1
Player of the game:
Jordan Batty
Jordan Batty
Player of Game 4
DAY 2 - Game 5
v Dumfries Demons
First period
The Warriors’ final game of the weekend got underway at 14:22. With neither side able to qualify for the knockout stages, the fixture was technically a dead rubber, but there was still plenty to play for.
A victory would see the Warriors finish the tournament with a respectable record of two wins, two losses and one draw against a strong field of opponents. The Dumfries Demons, however, were in a similar position and equally determined to end their weekend on a high.
By this stage of the tournament, the Warriors were beginning to feel the effects of a demanding schedule. Bodies were carrying the inevitable bumps, bruises and fatigue that come with a weekend of hockey, not to mention the previous evening’s social activities. Nevertheless, one final effort was required.
Unfortunately, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages and it was the Demons who looked the more dangerous side. Their pressure was eventually rewarded when they opened the scoring around the five-minute mark.
It was a set-back for the Warriors, but there was still plenty of hockey remaining. As he had done throughout the tournament, Mitch White stepped up when needed, hitting a slap-shot from the blue line which found the back of the net for his eighth goal of the weekend to level the scores at 1-1.
The remainder of the period was played at a high tempo, with chances coming at both ends and both netminders producing important saves to keep their teams in contention. When the buzzer sounded, the score remained locked at 1-1, with both sides believing they had every chance of finishing the tournament with a victory.
Second period
This would be the Warriors’ final period of the tournament and the players were determined to leave everything out on the ice in pursuit of one last victory.
The Demons, however, had no intention of playing a supporting role. Early in the period they found a way through the Warriors defence and slipped the puck past Lewis Pickering to restore their lead at 2-1.
With around ten minutes remaining, the Warriors faced a significant challenge. They needed to chase the game without abandoning the defensive discipline that had kept them competitive throughout the weekend.
Thankfully, the response was not long in coming. After some excellent work by Niks Kamaldins down low, the puck found its way across the face of goal to the back post where Jordan Batty was waiting. Batty made no mistake, hammering the puck into the net to level the scores at 2-2.
With five minutes remaining, the momentum had swung firmly in the Warriors’ favour. Despite tired legs and aching bodies, the Warriors continued to battle, sensing there might still be a winner to be found. Chances were at a premium, however, and as the clock ticked down it appeared the game was destined to end in a draw.
The Warriors wanted more than that.
Then came the dramatic twist.
With just ten seconds remaining, a Demons defenceman attempted to clear the puck from his own zone. Instead, the clearance struck Adam Tomlinson and dropped kindly onto his stick in front of goal. Tomlinson reacted instinctively, firing a quick shot that was saved by the netminder, but the rebound spilled loose into a dangerous area.
Lurking at the side of the crease was Sam Cromack.
The Warriors alternate captain reacted first, pouncing on the loose puck and burying it from close range to make it 3-2 with just three seconds remaining on the clock.
The Warriors bench erupted.
There was barely enough time for the puck to be dropped again before the final buzzer sounded, sealing a dramatic last-gasp victory and ensuring the Warriors ended their tournament campaign on a memorable high.
Final score:
Warriors 3-2 Demons
Goals:
Mitch White 1+0
Jordan Batty 1+0
Sam Cromack 1+0
Niks Kamaldins 0+1
Tyler Heming 0+1
Adam Tomlinson 0+1
Player of the game:
Sam Cromack
Sam Cromack
Player of Game 5
Tournament points scorers
Mitch White 8+1
Sam Cromack 3+0
Tyler Heming 0+3
Jordan Batty 2+0
Andy Giles 1+1
Dylan Noonan 1+1
Andrew Hughes 1+1
Chris Giles 1+0
Harvey Galloway 1+0
Adam Tomlinson 0+1
Niks Kamaldins 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 Grimsby Trawlers and the Paisley Blackhawks with the latter being victorious.
Congratulations to Stuart Lonsdale and the Blackhawks on picking up the trophy.
Our first team are back in action in a couple of weeks when they compete in the Leeds Lightning Tournament at Planet Ice, Leeds.
This will take place on the weekend of 27th - 28th June:
After that, they will compete in their final game in the IHSC Cup Intermediate Division, having already clinched a play-off spot for the finals weekend in Sheffield in August.
See the details below:
