ENL North round-up week 23

BLACKBURN, UK – The ENL1 North title race looks set to go down to the wire with three teams still in with a chance of claiming the prize.
Billingham Stars have led the way since the start of the season, but have suffered a wobble in recent weeks winning just three of their last seven

league games. They faced play-off chasing Telford Titans on Sunday and took the lead in the 7^th minute, courtesy of Andy Thornton’s strike. The home crowd were shocked on 13 minutes as Dan Taylor equalised for the visitors. Stars piled on the pressure, but some inspired netminding from Ben Hunt kept them at bay and the game ended 1-1.
Whitley Warriors are now just four points behind Stars with a game in hand after beating Solihull Barons at Hillheads. Rob Eley gave Barons the lead before Callum Watson brought Warriors level. Adam Andrews made it 2-1 by the end of the first, but Shaun Kippin tied things up early in the second. Jamie Tinsley put the home team in front after 23 minutes but Phil Lee made it 3-3 a minute later. Kippin’s second of the night edged Warriors back in front, but Barons levelled again through Eley. The home team eased away in the third with goals from Christian Johnson, Dean Holland, Harry Harley and Watson again sealing an 8-4 success.
Blackburn Hawks moved to within three points of Whitley after beating Sheffield Spartans 5-0. The first two periods were scoreless but Jared Owen’s men stepped on the gas in the third, with goals from Dave Meikle, Sami Narkia, Tom King, Chris Arnone and Rick Ravey securing a vital two points.
Coventry Blaze boosted their hopes of avoiding a relegation play-off, with a crucial 6-3 home win over Solihull – Josh Nicklin (3), Rikki Bryniarski (2) and Matt Selby scored the goals. The win moves Blaze level on points with Nottingham Lions and just two behind Sheffield.
Solway Sharks have won the ENL2 North title after being awarded a default win over Bradford Bulldogs. The Yorkshire outfit were unable to raise a team for Saturday’s trip to Dumfries, handing Sharks a 5-0 win and a place in ENL1 next season.
Sutton Sting remain in the promotion play-off position after an 8-1 win at Lancashire Raptors, while Flintshire Freeze beat Bradford 6-1 to stay third. Fylde Flyers were surprisingly held 3-3 at home to the Raptors, but won 5-2 at Sheffield Senators to move out of the bottom two.
This weekend sees Whitley face-off against Trafford Metros, while Blackburn travel to the Midlands to face Coventry and Solihull.
Contact the author at: michael.black@prohockeynews.com