(Image permission: Rob Hutchinson)
LANCASHIRE, UK – Telford Tigers moved to the top of Moralee D1 after recording a pair of victories over the weekend.
Joe Miller scored the decider in Telford’s 4-3 win at Billingham Stars, while Jack Watkins weighed in with a couple of goals in their 4-2 home success against Solihull Barons.
Iain Bowie scored twice for Solway Sharks in their 6-2 victory at home to Nottingham Lions, but the reigning champions were out of luck the following day at Hull Pirates as the home side secured a 6-3 win.
Philip Edgar (2) and David Longstaff (2) topped the scoring for Whitley Warriors in their 6-3 home win over Deeside Dragons, while Nottingham Lions are still waiting for their first point of the season after falling 3-1 at home to Blackburn Hawks.
In the NIHL Autumn Cup, Sheffield Steeldogs lost 2-0 on home ice against Basingstoke Bison.
Widnes Wild still lead Laidler D2 courtesy of a four point weekend. Ollie Barron (3), Stuart Brittle (2) got the goals in Wild’s 5-4 win at Sheffield Senators and Mikey Gilbert (3) led the way in their 16-2 home victory over Blackburn Hawks 2.
Altrincham Aces maintained their unbeaten record with two big road wins. Joe Greaves scored four in their 16-0 victory over Hawks 2, while Jake Nurse (4) and Tomas Mitrik (3) were amongst the scorers in a 16-4 success at Deeside Dragons 2.
Ryan Johnson grabbed the decider as Sutton Sting won 4-3 after a shoot-out at Coventry Blaze NIHL, while Connor Medley hit a hat-trick in Bradford Bulldogs’ 8-4 victory at home to Hull Jets.
PHN’s top two talking points
Arguments over Rutkis incident reflect badly on the league
There’s been plenty of discussion on social media and forums this week about last Sunday’s incident involving Toms Rutkis and Jonathan Weaver during the game between Swindon Wildcats and Telford.
The police are investigating the matter, yet that hasn’t stopped some pretty unsavoury comments being thrown around that reflect badly on the NIHL as a whole.
Ultimately, we have one player with a serious injury and another whose excellent reputation in the game could end up being ruined. Whatever the outcome, neither of those facts are good news for the individuals concerned.
Blackburn’s new-boys on a hiding to nothing
It’s safe to say the decision to force D2 champions Blackburn Eagles to disband during the summer wasn’t viewed positively by the majority of people.
Their demise opened the door for Blackburn Hawks 2 to take their place in the league, although 79 goals conceded in just seven games suggest things aren’t quite going to plan just yet.
Whether the move proves to be vindicated in the long run remains to be seen, but the way it was handled still leaves a sour taste a few months on.
WEEKEND RESULTS
Moralee D1
Billingham Stars 3-4 Telford Tigers
Hull Pirates 6-3 Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions 1-3 Blackburn Hawks
Solway Sharks 6-2 Nottingham Lions
Telford Tigers 4-2 Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors 6-3 Deeside Dragons
Laidler D2
Blackburn Hawks 2 0-16 Altrincham Aces
Bradford Bulldogs 8-4 Hull Jets
Coventry Blaze NIHL 3-4 Sutton Sting (SO)
Deeside Dragons 2 4-16 Altrincham Aces
Sheffield Senators 4-5 Widnes Wild
Widnes Wild 16-2 Blackburn Hawks 2
NIHL Autumn Cup
Sheffield Steeldogs 0-2 Basingstoke Bison
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