REGARDLESS of what happens in ice hockey’s North East derby, Whitley Warriors will consider this season a success, says Garry Dowd.

Tomorrow’s game against Billingham Stars at Hillheads could go a long way to deciding who wins English National League North One.

Regardless, Dowd will look back on the campaign with pleasure.

It is Dowd’s first as coach – he added playing to his duties in the New Year – and he went into it with low expectations.

The goal, he said at the time, was securing a play-off place.

Victory over Trafford Metros last week guaranteed that.

Dowd said: “When I took over my aim was just to stay in the league.

“I said we would try to make the play-offs. Now we are starting to look at the title.

“We had a shaky start to the season and it took us until Christmas to gel properly.

“Since then, though, we have pulled 11 points back on Billingham.