ENL North round-up week 27

BLACKBURN, UK – Billingham Stars are the new ENL1 North champions after a dramatic weekend’s action. Stars travelled to face Sheffield Spartans on Saturday needing three points from their remaining games to claim the crown. They made the perfect star

as goals from Callum Davies and Adam Robinson put them 2-0 in front. Will Barron pulled one back for Spartans after 23 minutes, but Richie Thornton and Michael Elder put the game beyond reach before the second buzzer. In front of a capacity crowd at TFM Ice Arena on Sunday, Stars hosted Trafford Metros. After a scoreless first period the visitors moved ahead midway through the second through Max Drakeley and a shock looked on the cards when John Murray doubled the lead soon after. Robinson reduced the deficit after 38 minutes and Thornton’s powerplay effort early in the third secured the point and the title. Reigning champions Whitley Warriors sealed the runners-up slot with a four point weekend. Goals from Jamie Tinsley (2), DJ Good and Dean Holland helped them to a 4-3 win at Trafford and they followed up with a remarkable 8-7 win over Spartans on Sunday – Holland (2), Harry Harley (2), Callum Watson (2), Tinsley and DJ Good grabbed Warriors’ goals. Coventry Blaze ensured their safety with an amazing comeback against Blackburn Hawks. Blaze found themselves 3-0 down inside six minutes as Aaron Davies (2) and Craig Rogers put Hawks ahead and the visitors seemed in total control when Rick Hughes’ 35th minute strike made it 4-0. Blaze refused to lie down and goals from Connor Hubbuck, Rhys McWilliams and Tom Ledgard set up a frenetic final session. Matt Selby levelled things up early in the third and the recovery was completed in the final two minutes as Josh Nicklin and Gareth Owen capped a stunning turnaround. Hawks bounced back the following evening with a 7-4 win at Nottingham Lions – Jordan Bannon (3), Sami Narkia (2) and Dave Meikle (2) got the goals. The result means Hawks finish third and will face Whitley in the play-offs, while Billingham will meet fourth placed Telford Titans. Adam Reynolds bagged a hat-trick as ENL2 North champions Solway Sharks crushed Bradford Bulldogs 13-1. Sutton Sting beat Fylde Flyers 13-2 – Richie Oliver scored five – and they will meet Nottingham in the promotion/relegation play-off. James Parsons notched three as Flintshire Freeze beat Fylde 9-7, while Hull Stingrays and Sheffield Senators fought out a 2-2 draw. Bottom club Lancashire Raptors lost again – 4-2 at home to Bradford. This weekend sees Billingham complete their regulation season at home to Blackburn, while Whitley travel to face relegated Solihull Barons. Contact the author at: Michael.Black@prohockeynews.com