(Image permission: Keith & Jenny Davies)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Telford Tigers travel to Solway Sharks on Saturday aiming to prove they have what it takes to win this season’s Moralee D1 title.
The Tigers still lead the table despite having last Sunday’s victory at Blackburn Hawks reversed due to a rules infringement.
With an Autumn Trophy game at home to Hull Pirates to follow on Sunday, forward Jack Watkins admitted it’s a big weekend for the club.
“I think we’ve had a tremendous start to the season,” he said. “The guys have battled through a tough start, injuries, suspensions and we are still sitting top of the league table.
“We’ve been short-benched for most games so far this season, but we’re still coming away with results. Saturday will be our fourth consecutive road trip, with Sunday being our fifth game in eight days.
“Solway always play well at home and Hull are one of the strongest teams in this league – we need nothing less than two wins this weekend.”
Laidler D2 leaders Altrincham Aces will put their promotion credentials on the line this weekend as they face a tough double-header.
The Aces travel to Sheffield Senators on Saturday, before hosting Sutton Sting the following day, but defender Sarah Hutchinson believes the team can secure four points.
“It’s been a strong start to the season for us with some big tests early on,” she said. “We’ve had double-headers most weekends, so it helps having the strength in depth that we do.
“We’ve had close games with the likely title contenders and we’ve been on both sides of the results with the new overtime ruling this year.
“We’ve also had some clear runaway games which has allowed us to try different things to see what works with what is a brand new squad.
“There’s no doubt that this weekend will be the toughest one we’ve faced yet, going up against two very strong teams in Sutton and Sheffield.
“Coming off the back of four straight wins the team is definitely up for the challenge and will go into this weekend with only one thing in mind – four points.
“It’s going to be an interesting season and no doubt it’ll be a close call who walks away with the silverware at the end of the year.
“We’ll focus on one game at a time as we aim to remain the most consistent team and bounce back from the inevitable knocks that the season throws at us.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Moralee D1
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks v Whitley Warriors
Hull Pirates v Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks v Telford Tigers
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Solihull Barons
Nottingham Lions v Sheffield Steeldogs
Whitley Warriors v Solway Sharks
Laidler D2
Saturday
Coventry Blaze NIHL v Widnes Wild
Sheffield Senators v Altrincham Aces
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Sutton Sting
Blackburn Hawks 2 v Bradford Bulldogs
Hull Jets v Deeside Dragons 2
Widnes Wild v Telford Tigers 2
NIHL National Cup
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Blackburn Hawks
NIHL Autumn Trophy
Peterborough Phantoms v Sheffield Steeldogs
Telford Tigers v Hull Pirates
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