Blackburn Hawks moved nine points clear at the top of NIHL North Moralee D1 after recording two contrasting victories.

Richard Bentham (3), Adam Brittle (2), Ben Simister (2) and Chris Butler (2) topped the scoring as Hawks won 15-2 at Sheffield Spartans.

Sunday’s clash with Whitley Warriors proved a much tighter contest. The North East outfit were 3-1 up at the end of the first period, but Hawks fought back to eventually secure a 4-3 victory – RJay Berra’s second of the night (above) decided the game.

Billingham Stars started the weekend with a 7-3 Northern Cup win at home to D2 outfit Widnes Wild, and they followed up with a hard fought 6-4 league success at Solihull Barons – Dennis Boström hit a hat-trick for the Teessiders.

Telford Tigers NIHL and Sutton Sting split their weekend double-header – each registering a 4-2 victory on their own ice.

Solway Sharks returned to action for the first time since the end of November with a 14-0 demolition of Sheffield Senators.

Deeside Dragons extended their unbeaten Laidler D2 run to 15 games with a 10-3 win at home to Blackburn Eagles – Adrian Palak and Filip Supa both hit hat-tricks – and an 8-2 victory at Nottingham Lions.

Geoff Wigglesworth (4) and Scott McKenzie (3) led the scoring for Widnes as they ran out 9-1 winners on home ice against Altrincham Aces.

Coventry Blaze picked up just their second win this season with a 2-1 home victory against Hull Jets – Luke Smith and Lui Brindle got the goals.

WEEKEND RESULTS

NIHL North Moralee D1

Billingham Stars 7-3 Widnes Wild (Cup)
Blackburn Hawks 4-3 Whitley Warriors
Sheffield Spartans 2-15 Blackburn Hawks
Solihull Barons 4-6 Billingham Stars
Solway Sharks 14-0 Sheffield Senators
Sutton Sting 4-2 Telford Tigers NIHL
Telford Tigers NIHL 4-2 Sutton Sting

NIHL North Laidler D2

Coventry Blaze 2-1 Hull Jets
Deeside Dragons 10-3 Blackburn Eagles
Nottingham Lions 2-8 Deeside Dragons
Widnes Wild 9-1 Altrincham Aces