THE Basingstoke under-16 Bison enjoyed a visit to their sponsors, Costa, at the Leisure Park.

The young Herd, who play out of the Basingstoke Arena, made the short journey to their near neighbours for an evening tasting their drinks range and meeting staff.

As part of the deal, the Bison will wear a badge on their shirts, which they hope will bring them luck in the second half of the season.

Matt Case, regional development manager for the Basingstoke area, said: “Our local stores are proud to sponsor the Basingstoke under-16 Bison and we will continue to do all that they can to integrate our local stores with the community.

“We are getting involved with events, providing the store as a meeting place and helping with fundraising. We wish the junior Bison team all the best of luck for the season.”

The young Herd lost their latest outing at home to Slough, with Sam Compton getting their only goal.

Straight after this game the under-18 Bison drew 1-1 also against Slough, with both the goals coming in the first period.

The Herd’s Kyle Goddard scored the opening goal of the game at 3:36, assisted by Hallam Wilson and Paul Petts.

Slough levelled things 15 seconds before the first buzzer from Josh Ealey-Newman.

After this, Bison man-of-the-match, netminder Jordan Lawday, was not beaten again, while the home side could not find a way past Josh Milton.

On the same evening, the Buffalo extended their unbeaten run to five games as they drew 5-5 against the Wightlink Tigers on the Isle of Wight.

The visitors only took a small squad across the Solent as the under-18 Bison were in action.

By the end of the game they were reduced two defencemen after injuries to Dave Collins and Sam Dollin, while forward Greg Martyn needed continued treatment to a cut just under his nose after he was caught in the face in the first period by Eden Holton, who was dismissed.

The Buffalo scored the only goal of the opening 20 minutes as Ben Edwards and Collins combined for Dollin to score.

Man-of-the-match Matt Lawday increased the advantage, assisted by Daniel Lackey and Mark Pitts.

The same three players combined again for the visitors’ third goal, which this time was scored by Pitts.

The same forward then made it 4-0, with Lackey and Ashley Skinns this time getting the helpers on the goal.

At this point, Wightlink opened their account, but the Buffalo team hit back as Lackey made it 5-1 by the second buzzer.

Injuries then took their toll in the final period as the 20 skaters of the home side took control against the 11 skaters of the visitors, scoring four goals in the space of six minutes to tie the game at 5-5.

From there the Buffalo dug in and held the Tigers out for the final eight minutes to take a point, which keeps them top of the National League South Two West.

This weekend, the team travel to Haringey Racers knowing a draw will be enough to book them a place in the semi-finals of the National League Cup.