LANCASHIRE, UK – There’s another action-packed weekend in store in NIHL North, with things kicking-off in style on Friday evening with the first final of the season set to be decided.
Sheffield Steeldogs visit NIHL South side Peterborough Phantoms having drawn the first leg 2-2 and the return match is expected to be another tight affair.
Read on as we look at three standout games from the weekend ahead.
Peterborough Phantoms v Sheffield Steeldogs – NIHL Autumn Cup – Friday
The Phantoms will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy, but they would be well-advised not to underestimate the threat posed by the Moralee D1 side.
Sheffield won 2-1 at Peterborough during the group stage of the competition and their style of play is ideally suited to road games.
They progressed through their semi-final against Hull Pirates having lost the first leg on home ice and they are fancied to edge a tight encounter on Friday.
Prediction: Peterborough 2-3 Sheffield
Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors – Moralee D1 – Saturday
Solway remain best-placed of all the original NIHL sides to break the dominance of three former EPL clubs.
They head into Saturday’s game just two points behind Sheffield at the top of the table, although the Steeldogs, Telford Tigers and Hull all have games in hand.
The Warriors have lost seven out of 10 matches away from home this season and Solway can record their fourth victory of the campaign over the North East side this weekend.
Prediction: Solway 6-3 Whitley
Murrayfield Racers v Billingham Stars – NIHL North Cup – Sunday
On paper this is a nothing game with both sides already out of the competition, but it should still be an interesting encounter.
Billingham have won just two of their last 17 league and cup matches and face a Racers side who will be full of confidence after two big victories in Scotland over the last two weekends.
With the reborn Racers being touted as possible entrants into a new UK-wide second tier next season, it will be worth watching how far they have progressed when they take on Billingham.
Prediction: Murrayfield 4-6 Billingham
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Solihull Barons v Hull Pirates
Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors
Sutton Sting v Sheffield Steeldogs
Telford Tigers v Nottingham Lions
Sunday
Hull Pirates v Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions v Telford Tigers
Whitley Warriors v Sutton Sting
Laidler D2
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Deeside Dragons
Bradford Bulldogs v Widnes Wild
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Hull Jets
Sheffield Senators v Altrincham Aces
Telford Tigers 2 v Blackburn Hawks 2
Widnes Wild v Bradford Bulldogs
NIHL North Cup
Sunday
Murrayfield Racers v Billingham Stars
Sheffield Steeldogs v Blackburn Hawks
NIHL Autumn Cup
Friday
Peterborough Phantoms v Sheffield Steeldogs
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