(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
LANCASHIRE, UK – The race to win Laidler D2 looks set to go down to the wire, with five teams still holding a realistic chance of claiming top spot.
Telford Tigers 2 currently lead the table with 38 points from 28 games, but Sutton Sting are just two points behind with five games in hand.
Hull are level on points with Sutton having played a game more, while Widnes Wild and Altrincham Aces are a further two points adrift.
A run of 12 wins in a row took Telford to the top of the standings, but last week’s 4-3 defeat against Sutton was a big blow to their title hopes.
Telford still have to play Widnes twice, Altrincham and Sutton, but it’s difficult to imagine them being able to hold off the chasing pack over the coming weeks.
Five wins in their last six games has moved Sutton up to second in the table and their recent signing of forward Stanislav Lascek looks an inspired move.
Sting have games to come against Hull twice, Telford, Altrincham and Sheffield, but their remaining fixtures look relatively favourable and they are in pole position to win the division.
Hull have also been in decent form in recent weeks, winning four of their last six matches. Their run-in looks difficult, with games against Altrincham (3), Sutton (2) and Widnes (2) still to come.
Whether the Jets can navigate that run of fixtures unscathed remains to be seen, but they will undoubtedly have a big say in where the title ends up.
Widnes looked well-placed to secure top spot just a few weeks ago, but three defeats in their last six games have put a dent in their title bid.
Wild must still play Telford and Hull twice, but they could know their fate by the time they visit Altrincham in the middle of March.
After winning last season’s D2 play-offs Widnes set their stall out to win the title this year and it would be a big disappointment if the club missed out once again.
Altrincham looked likely winners of the league during the early part of the season, but seven defeats in their last 11 games has dropped them to fifth in the table.
The Aces still have three games to come against Hull, along with fixtures against Telford, Sutton and Widnes.
A defeat in any of those six games would probably end Altrincham’s challenge, although they are more than capable of winning all their remaining fixtures if they can rediscover their early season form.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Nottingham Lions v Billingham Stars
Solway Sharks v Solihull Barons
Telford Tigers v Blackburn Hawks
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Nottingham Lions
Blackburn Hawks v Solway Sharks
Hull Pirates v Telford Tigers
Solihull Barons v Deeside Dragons
Whitley Warriors v Sheffield Steeldogs
Laidler D2
Saturday
Bradford Bulldogs v Sutton Sting
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Altrincham Aces
Sheffield Senators v Blackburn Hawks 2
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Deeside Dragons 2
Sutton Sting v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Telford Tigers 2 v Bradford Bulldogs
Widnes Wild v Blackburn Hawks 2
NIHL National Cup
Friday
Sheffield Steeldogs v Hull Pirates
Saturday
Hull Pirates v Sheffield Steeldogs
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