(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
LANCASHIRE, UK – The NIHL National Cup takes centre stage this weekend as Moralee D1 title hopefuls Telford Tigers bid to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Telford face a home and away double-header against NIHL1 South side Bracknell Bees knowing that two wins would send them through to the last eight.
Forward Scott McKenzie returned to the Tigers at the end of October after leaving his role as player/coach at Deeside Dragons and he says he’s enjoying being back with the club.
“It’s great being back at Telford – I’ve been welcomed back with open arms and feel really comfortable back in Shropshire,” he said.
“Last weekend’s win against Swindon was a huge one for us. It’s given us a chance to get through to the next stage if we have a good weekend against Bracknell.
“The Bees are a good side. We played them a few weeks ago and it was far from easy. They have a lot of experience within their side and we will need to be focused for 120 minutes to collect the full four points.
“We have the ability within our team, we just need to execute and outwork the Bees.”
The top two in Laidler D2 meet on Saturday as Hull Jets host leaders Altrincham Aces.
Hull have roared into the promotion race over the past few weeks, winning ten games in a row to move within a point of Altrincham at the top of the table.
Forward Kieran Beach has been in fine form since returning to the Jets from Hull Pirates, scoring 11 goals with 14 assists in just seven games.
He said: “I’m happy to be back playing with the Jets.
“We’re quite a close group of guys and we all get along and can have a laugh together. When we are winning games like we are it makes it even better.
“This weekend’s game is our toughest test this season. Our recent form has seen us move to second in the league and a win could move us up top first, so it’ll be an exciting game.
“We want our winning streak to continue and we will be going all out for the two points.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Sunday
Blackburn Hawks v Solihull Barons
Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Steeldogs
Hull Pirates v Nottingham Lions
Whitley Warriors v Billingham Stars
Laidler D2
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Sutton Sting
Hull Jets v Altrincham Aces
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Blackburn Hawks 2
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Deeside Dragons 2
Sheffield Senators v Telford Tigers 2
Widnes Wild v Bradford Bulldogs
NIHL National Cup
Saturday
Bracknell Bees v Telford Tigers
Sunday
Telford Tigers v Bracknell Bees
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