Image permission: Chud Photography
LANCASHIRE, UK – Nottingham Lions face Hull Pirates on Sunday hoping to build on last weekend’s promising performance against Telford Tigers.
The Moralee D1 new-boys lost 5-2 against the former EPL team, but captain Elliot Perrin believes the result shows the Lions will be competitive this season.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming up against the Tigers,” he said. “It’s a totally different standard than most of us are used to. We knew they would be a good side and come at us hard.
“I think we played well and did ourselves proud we dug deep and played our hardest. We didn’t give up and we won’t give up this season. Most teams have written us off, but hopefully after seeing the result they will think twice.”
The Pirates, who were also in the EPL last year, have gone with an all-British roster this season and Lions’ defender Adz Andrews is expecting another tough test.
“We know Hull are a hard working team full of some quality Brits,” said Andrews. “We need to be at our best once again like we were against Telford and keep it close and tight for three periods. Hopefully we can get something from the game.”
Telford are in NIHL National Cup action on Sunday as they take on Basingstoke Bison.
The Tigers also defeated Sheffield Steeldogs last weekend and general manager Tom Watkins is looking for more of the same against another former EPL team.
“It’ll be good to face up against Basingstoke – we’ve got an existing rivalry that has built up over the years and it will be good to continue that,” said Watkins.
“They are a well-coached team, similar to last year’s side minus a few imports, but they will be looking for their Brits to step up and take more responsibility on special teams. It will be interesting to see if they can do that.
“I’m happy that our Brits and younger players are doing that and are comfortable with that increased responsibility. It’s always exciting facing teams for the first time in a season and seeing how they line up, how they perform and competing against them.”
The standout game in Laidler D2 is on Sunday as promotion-hopefuls Altrincham Aces face Sheffield Senators.
Altrincham started the season with an impressive 8-1 victory over Telford Tigers 2, but new player/coach Wayne Slater believes Sheffield will present a tougher challenge.
“It’s been a busy summer with all the changes up and down the leagues, but I’m more than happy with our pre-season preparation,” said Slater.
“We haven’t played a Telford team for a while so they were a bit of an unknown, but the lads stuck to the plan and worked hard for a full sixty minutes so it was nice to get the rewards for a solid performance.
“I expect a much sterner test from Sheffield this Sunday and they are a team that we have to beat if we want to be challenging for honours, as I feel they will be right up there again like last season.”
WEEKEND FIXTURES
NIHL North Moralee D1
Saturday
Hull Pirates v Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors
Sunday
Deeside Dragons v Solihull Barons
Nottingham Lions v Hull Pirates
Whitley Warriors v Blackburn Hawks
NIHL North Laidler D2
Saturday
Bradford Bulldogs v Blackburn Hawks 2
Telford Tigers 2 v Coventry Blaze NIHL
Sunday
Altrincham Aces v Sheffield Senators
Hull Jets v Sutton Sting
Widnes Wild v Telford Tigers 2
NIHL National Cup
Saturday
Blackburn Hawks v Billingham Stars
Sunday
Billingham Stars v Solway Sharks
Telford Tigers v Basingstoke Bison
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