(Image permission: Helen Hobbins)
ENGLAND, UK – Solway Sharks produced a thrilling comeback at Whitley Warriors on Sunday to retain their unbeaten record in all competitions this season.
The Sharks were three goals down after the first period of their NIHL North Cup tie at Hillheads, but bounced back to tie things up at 3-3 to force overtime.
The extra session failed to produce another goal, sending the game to a penalty shoot-out where Jaakko Heiskanen bagged the decider.
That result completed a productive weekend for the Sharks who also triumphed 8-2 at home to Sutton Sting in Moralee D1 – Marcus Murdoch topped their scoring.
Craig Thurston and Tomas Rubes both weighed in with a couple of goals as Billingham Stars eased to a 9-2 league victory at Nottingham Lions.
Tom Humphries (5) led the way for Sheffield Senators as they recorded an emphatic 20-1 home win over Blackburn Hawks 2 in Laidler D2.
Hull Jets drew level on points with Bradford Bulldogs at the top of the table courtesy of a 6-4 success at Telford Tigers 2 – Mark Florence (2) and Kieran Beach (2) were amongst the scorers.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Nottingham Lions 2-9 Billingham Stars
Solway Sharks 8-2 Sutton Sting
Laidler D2
Sheffield Senators 20-1 Blackburn Hawks 2
Telford Tigers 2 4-6 Hull Jets
NIHL North Cup
Whitley Warriors 3-4 Solway Sharks (SO)
PHN’s top two talking points
Sheffield set to stage Easter thriller
The National League Management Group has confirmed that iceSheffield will be the venue for the Moralee D1 Final Four Weekend.
There will be two semi-finals on the Saturday, with the Grand Final scheduled to take place the following day.
Solway, Whitley, Billingham and Solihull Barons are expected to qualify, although Sutton Sting will fancy their chances of ousting one of that quartet from the event.
Whoever takes part in the Final Four it promises to be a hugely entertaining couple of days – let’s hope that fans from across the league head to Sheffield to make it an Easter weekend to remember.
Solway refuse to lie down
Solway’s thrilling fightback at Whitley in the cup on Sunday was yet another example of how difficult they are to beat.
The Sharks have been involved in a few close encounters this season, but they somehow keep finding ways to win.
The Dumfries-based found themselves three goals down at Hillheads after 20 minutes, but they battled back to claim the victory after a penalty shoot-out.
The result was the second time this season that Whitley have blown a lead against Solway and that must be a concern for the league title favourites.
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