(Image permission: Duncan Speirs)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Sheffield Steeldogs came up short in their bid to win the NIHL Autumn Cup, losing out 6-5 on aggregate against Peterborough Phantoms.
The Steeldogs put the disappointment behind them to win 10-3 at Sutton Sting in Moralee D1 and 4-1 at home to Blackburn Hawks in the NIHL North Cup.
Hull Pirates enjoyed a four-point weekend, winning 8-2 at Solihull Barons and 6-5 on home ice against Solway Sharks.
Telford Tigers picked up two victories from their weekend double-header against Nottingham Lions, winning 9-1 at home and 6-0 on the road.
Whitley Warriors lost 7-2 at Solway, but they bounced back on home ice with a 7-4 victory over Sutton.
Widnes Wild moved nine points clear at the top of Laidler D2 after picking up two wins against Bradford Bulldogs. Wild triumphed 5-1 on the road and 9-2 on home ice.
Richard Haggar scored twice for Hull Jets in their 6-3 success at Deeside Dragons, while Truels Lone bagged a hat-trick for Sheffield Senators as they won 7-3 at home to Altrincham Aces.
It was another miserable weekend for Blackburn Hawks 2 as they were beaten 6-4 on home ice against Deeside and 17-1 at Telford Tigers 2.
In the NIHL North Cup, Billingham Stars won 4-0 at Murrayfield Racers – Kevin Boyd (2), Cain Taylor and Ethan Hehir got the goals.
PHN’s top two talking points
Bradbury’s crowdfunding dig was understandable
Nottingham Lions’ head coach Matt Bradbury took to social media to praise the efforts of his young players at Telford on Saturday.
The short-benched Lions found things tough against the high-flying Tigers, but never let their heads drop throughout the game.
A quip about crowdfunding – an obvious reference to goings on in NIHL South over the past few weeks – was certainly understandable given the difficulties the Lions have faced this season.
Potential restructure must be UK-wide
Debates continue to rumble on across various platforms about a possible restructure of the NIHL.
Suggestions about a new ‘premier’ tier are rife, with many fans willing to take an axe to the current set-up in NIHL North in order to achieve the desired league down south.
Any future changes to the structure simply must include the whole of the UK if they are to work. The country stretches further than South Yorkshire.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Hull Pirates 6-5 Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions 0-6 Telford Tigers
Solihull Barons 2-8 Hull Pirates
Solway Sharks 7-2 Whitley Warriors
Sutton Sting 3-10 Sheffield Steeldogs
Telford Tigers 9-1 Nottingham Lions
Whitley Warriors 7-4 Sutton Sting
Laidler D2
Blackburn Hawks 2 4-6 Deeside Dragons
Bradford Bulldogs 1-5 Widnes Wild
Deeside Dragons 3-6 Hull Jets
Sheffield Senators 7-3 Altrincham Aces
Telford Tigers 2 17-1 Blackburn Hawks 2
Widnes Wild 9-2 Bradford Bulldogs
NIHL North Cup
Murrayfield Racers 0-4 Billingham Stars
Sheffield Steeldogs 4-1 Blackburn Hawks
NIHL Autumn Cup
Peterborough Phantoms 4-3 Sheffield Steeldogs (agg 6-5)
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