The title race in the NIHL Division 1 North is tightening up with the season half complete.
With four points separating first and second the title is still very much up in the air.
Division 1 North sees sides play just the 28 games over the course of the season with two points awarded per win.
There will be a champion at the end of the season, they just don’t get anything else.
There’s no promotion spot for the top team, there is relegation though, so that’s good…I guess.
From Bottom to Top
This is the grim prospect that the Nottingham Lions face with their two recent wins being just their first of the season.
They sit rock-bottom having only picked up six points from 18 games played, two over-time losses giving them the extra two points.
Solway Sharks have been the dominant side all season and have won their last seven games in a row.
A loss to Solihull Barons was the last time they tasted defeat, the Barons also enjoying good form winning three in their last five.
Solway will be feeling the pressure however with the Whitley Warriors creeping up behind them.
The Warriors have lost one in their last five keeping them well and truly in the race for top-spot.
The gap between them and third-placed Barons is at 10 points however, taking some pressure off the former side.
Mid-Table
Moving further down the table we see the Scimitars who have seen a mixed run of form but have lost their last three games.
Widnes Wild are another side who have been an in and out of form.
In their debut season in Division 1 they have seen a mix of brilliant results and crushing defeats.
A huge victory over Solway sees them in the Moralee Cup Final against the Dundee Comets in February.
Their league form has been a different matter with an 8-5 victory over the Lions their only win in the last five.
This leaves them in fifth after 16 games played, two points off third.
Blackburn Hawks and Billingham Stars have consistently been towards the bottom end of the table but are still in the mixer.
Only six points separate seventh place and third, so it’s all to play for.
With no promotion at this level all sides will want to be finishing as high as possible for bragging rights alone.
And aside from the two top spots it’s an open contest as to where each team finishes.
