(Image permission: GW-Images)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Sheffield Steeldogs extended their lead at the top of Moralee D1 to four points after recording a pair of home victories over the weekend.
Andrew Hirst (3) topped the scoring as Sheffield won 14-2 against Deeside Dragons and the league leaders followed up with a 3-0 success against Solway Sharks.
Telford Tigers kept up their title challenge with an 8-2 home victory over Billingham Stars – Jason Silverthorn weighed in with a couple of goals.
Whitley Warriors had a mixed weekend, losing 7-3 at Solway before bouncing back with a 5-3 home win against Solihull Barons.
Nottingham Lions lost 5-3 at Billingham, but they had better luck on home ice as they cruised to a 12-2 success against Deeside.
Hull Pirates are through to the semi-finals of the NIHL National Cup after demolishing Blackburn Hawks 16-6 on aggregate. Telford lost 5-3 at Basingstoke Bison.
Widnes Wild are the new leaders in Laidler D2 after picking up a pair of wins. Ollie Barron scored nine goals in their 22-2 victory at Deeside Dragons 2 and he followed up with a hat-trick in his team’s 7-2 home success against Altrincham Aces.
Late goals by Charlie Hammerton and James Smith helped Telford Tigers 2 to a 4-2 home win against Hull Jets.
Dominic Martin grabbed the winner for Sutton Sting as they secured a narrow 4-3 success at Coventry Blaze NIHL.
Blackburn Hawks 2 remain rooted to the bottom of the table after losing 7-6 at home to Deeside 2.
PHN’s top two talking points
Sykes a shining light for Billingham
Chris Sykes’ bid to extend his points streak to 20 games ended at Telford on Sunday, but the Billingham forward can be proud of his efforts this season.
Sykes has been a shining light during a difficult campaign for the Stars and his output is matching players who have been plying their trade at a higher level.
Telford’s Scott McKenzie picked up the December player of the month award in D1, but Sykes’ form didn’t go unnoticed.
Bowley doing an excellent job
Telford’s D2 side made it nine wins out of ten with a 4-2 victory over Hull Jets on Saturday and they are still very much in the title mix.
Player/Coach Callum Bowley deserves plenty of credit for the improvements his team has shown after an inconsistent start to the season.
The Tigers are four points behind Widnes having played a game more, but the two sides must meet twice in Telford before the end of the season.
Hull, Altrincham and Sutton are also still in the mix, but Telford will have a big say in who finishes top this term.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 5-3 Nottingham Lions
Nottingham Lions 12-2 Deeside Dragons
Sheffield Steeldogs 14-2 Deeside Dragons
Sheffield Steeldogs 3-0 Solway Sharks
Solway Sharks 7-3 Whitley Warriors
Telford Tigers 8-2 Billingham Stars
Whitley Warriors 5-3 Solihull Barons
Laidler D2
Blackburn Hawks 2 6-7 Deeside Dragons 2
Coventry Blaze NIHL 3-4 Sutton Sting
Deeside Dragons 2 2-22 Widnes Wild
Telford Tigers 2 4-2 Hull Jets
Widnes Wild 7-2 Altrincham Aces
NIHL National Cup
Basingstoke Bison 5-3 Telford Tigers
Blackburn Hawks 3-4 Hull Pirates
Hull Pirates 12-3 Blackburn Hawks
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