(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Telford Tigers moved up to second place in Moralee D1 after picking up four points over the weekend.
The Tigers won 8-2 at Sutton Sting and followed up with an 8-1 victory at home to Billingham Stars – Doug Clarkson (above) weighed in with four goals over the two games.
Sheffield Steeldogs maintained their 100% league record with a comfortable 7-2 success at Solihull Barons. Lee Bonner hit a hat-trick for Hull Pirates in their 7-5 win at Billingham.
Ben Campbell (2) topped the scoring for Whitley Warriors in their 6-1 home victory over Nottingham Lions.
Blackburn Hawks enjoyed a rare four-point weekend, winning 7-3 at Solway Sharks and 6-1 on home ice against Sutton.
Solway recovered in style in the NIHL North Cup, winning 6-4 at Sheffield. Hull won 11-0 at home to Murrayfield Racers.
In Laidler D2, Widnes still lead the way after securing a 7-3 home win against Coventry Blaze NIHL – Mikey Gilbert hit a hat-trick for Wild.
Hull Jets had a mixed weekend, losing 5-2 at home to Deeside Dragons before bouncing back with 4-3 overtime success at Sheffield Senators.
James Smith’s hat-trick goal sealed a 5-4 victory for Telford Tigers 2 at Bradford Bulldogs.
Altrincham Aces are now without a win in four games after losing 6-3 at home to Sheffield and 3-1 at Deeside.
Blackburn Hawks 2 are still without a point after 12 matches following a 17-2 defeat on home ice against Coventry.
PHN’s top two talking points
Sharks bite back at Sheffield
Martin Grubb won’t have been happy to have lost at home to Blackburn on Saturday, but his Solway team bounced back in style at Sheffield the following evening.
Any win against the former EPL sides is not to be sniffed at and to do it on the road after a disappointing defeat is even more credit worthy.
The result put Solway on the verge of qualifying for the last four in the NIHL North Cup. It would be foolish to underestimate them if they progress.
Hawks on a high
Solway’s success at Sheffield was just about the result of the weekend, but Blackburn’s road victory against the Sharks wasn’t far behind.
The Hawks’ season was beginning to look disastrous after they lost seven on the spin, but they have now won four in a row to lift the mood around the club.
Next Saturday’s trip to face the Steeldogs will be a good yardstick to judge just how far they have progressed.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 5-7 Hull Pirates
Blackburn Hawks 6-1 Sutton Sting
Solihull Barons 2-7 Sheffield Steeldogs
Solway Sharks 3-7 Blackburn Hawks
Sutton Sting 2-8 Telford Tigers
Telford Tigers 8-1 Billingham Stars
Whitley Warriors 6-1 Nottingham Lions
Laidler D2
Altrincham Aces 3-6 Sheffield Senators
Blackburn Hawks 2 2-17 Coventry Blaze NIHL
Bradford Bulldogs 4-5 Telford Tigers 2
Deeside Dragons 3-1 Altrincham Aces
Hull Jets 2-5 Deeside Dragons
Sheffield Senators 3-4 Hull Jets (OT)
Widnes Wild 7-3 Coventry Blaze NIHL
NIHL North Cup
Hull Pirates 11-0 Murrayfield Racers
Sheffield Steeldogs 4-6 Solway Sharks
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