ENL North round-up week 14

BLACKBURN, UK – ENL1 North leaders Billingham Stars returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Nottingham Lions.
Stars travelled to Nottingham on Sunday looking to avenge their only defeat of the season so far and Scott Ward’s second minute strike got them off to the perfect start. Gareth O’ Flaherty equalised after 26 minutes, but James Moss and Adam Robinson made it 3-1 before the end of the second. The Teessiders piled on the pressure in the third and further strikes from Paul Windridge, Robinson, James Udell and Michael Elder sealed a comfortable 7-1 victory.
Whitley Warriors kept up their title push with a 5-1 win at home to Telford Titans. Dean Holland opened the scoring in the sixth minute, then set up Jamie Tinsley to double the lead early in the second. Titans pulled a goal back, but further strikes from Callum Watson, Rob Wilson and Jordan Barnes were enough to ease Warriors to the points.

Solihull Barons and Coventry Blaze fought out a thrilling derby battle at a packed Hobs Moat Ice Rink. Rikki Bryniarski and Philip Pollok put Blaze 2-0 in the first, but Barons roared back to level through Lui Brindle and Rob Eley early in the second. Josh Nicklin put the visitors back in front but Richard Slater equalised soon after. Erik Bakalar and Eley’s second of the night made it 5-3 to Barons, but Blaze responded quickly to tie things up through Nicklin and Gareth Owen. With two minutes left Tom Parker put Barons back in front and Slater grabbed an empty netter in the final minute to seal a memorable win.


Sheffield Spartans have been in good form of late but crashed on Saturday at home to Blackburn Hawks. Brian Worrall (2), Aaron Davies (2), Rick Hughes, Ric Ravey and Jared Owen did the damage as Hawks cruised to a 7-2 success. Blackburn’s inconsistencies came back to haunt them on Sunday, as Trafford Metros romped to a 3-0 road win. Two goals from Michael Rose eased Nottingham’s relegation worries as they edged to a 3-2 win at Telford .
Sutton Sting’s hopes of promotion from ENL2 suffered a setback as the fell to a 4-3 defeat at Hull Stingrays. Bradford Bulldogs enjoyed a three point weekend with a 6-6 draw against Sheffield Senators and a 7-1 success over Lancashire Raptors.
This weekend sees Billingham look to strengthen their title challenge at home to Trafford, while Whitley face Nottingham at Hillheads. Contact the author at: michael.black@prohockeynews.com