LANCASHIRE, UK – Richard Bentham bagged five goals for Solway Sharks as they recorded a comfortable 9-4 success at Whitley Warriors.
Stanislav Lascek’s hat-trick helped Sutton Sting secure a 5-4 victory at home to Solihull Barons. Sting couldn’t follow up at Blackburn Hawks, with the home side grinding out a 3-2 success.
Michael Elder topped the scoring for Billingham Stars with a hat-trick in their 6-2 victory at Nottingham Lions.
In the NIHL North Cup, Chris Sykes’ overtime goal sealed a 5-4 win for Billingham at Solway. Blackburn came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Murrayfield Racers.
Hull Jets had a mixed weekend in Laidler D2, losing 3-2 at home to Bradford Bulldogs before bouncing back with a 5-3 success at Deeside Dragons.
Hull Pirates kicked off their NIHL Autumn Cup campaign with an 8-2 defeat at Swindon Wildcats, but they recovered to win 3-2 against the same opponents back on home ice.
Sheffield Steeldogs also had a mixed weekend, losing 6-2 at Basingstoke Bison before gaining their revenge with a 5-4 overtime success in the return game.
Telford Tigers lost 3-1 at Peterborough Phantoms and 4-3 in the reverse fixture.
PHN’s top two talking points
Whitley meltdown fully justified
Whitley’s heavy defeat at home to Solway appeared to be the final straw for a couple of the club’s longest-serving players.
Richie Lawson and Jordan Barnes put their futures with the club at risk by delivering damning verdicts on the Warriors’ ownership after the game, claiming that a lack of investment in the playing squad was harming their chances of competing on a level footing with other teams.
It’s a long-standing joke in NIHL North circles that the club’s owner adopts a ‘take, take, take’ mentality. Unfortunately, while the players continue to put their bodies on the line and fans keep the tills ringing, nothing will change.
The players and fans deserve far better. It’s time to vote with your feet folks – it’s the only language people of that ilk understand.
Young goalie denies Sting second win
Sutton Sting bounced back from last week’s double disappointment against the Pirates with two battling performances against teams who may have thought they’d be in for an easy time of things.
Sting showed plenty of spirit to come from 4-1 down to beat Solihull 5-4 on Saturday and they were unlucky not to add another win at Blackburn the following day.
Young netminder Harrison Walker proved to be the difference as the Hawks snatched a fortunate 3-2 win. Despite the defeat, Sting boss Simon Butterworth should be hugely encouraged by his team’s efforts over the weekend.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Blackburn Hawks 3-2 Sutton Sting
Nottingham Lions 2-6 Billingham Stars
Sutton Sting 5-4 Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors 4-9 Solway Sharks
Laidler D2
Deeside Dragons 3-5 Hull Jets
Hull Jets 2-3 Bradford Bulldogs
NIHL North Cup
Murrayfield Racers 2-3 Blackburn Hawks
Solway Sharks 4-5 Billingham Stars (OT)
NIHL Autumn Cup
Basingstoke Bison 6-2 Sheffield Steeldogs
Hull Pirates 3-2 Swindon Wildcats
Peterborough Phantoms 3-1 Telford Tigers
Sheffield Steeldogs 5-4 Basingstoke Bison (OT)
Swindon Wildcats 8-2 Hull Pirates
Telford Tigers 3-4 Peterborough Phantoms
You must be logged in to post a comment.