Blackburn Hawks moved back to the top of NIHL North Moralee D1 after a three-point weekend.

RJay Berra (2) led the scoring in their 5-2 win at home to Billingham Stars, and Hawks appeared on course for another victory the following evening after opening up a 3-1 lead at Whitley Warriors by the 34-minute mark.

Dean Holland’s second of the game reduced the deficit to one before the second buzzer and Whitley looked set to claim victory when David Longstaff and Shaun Kippin put them 4-3 ahead in the third.

Blackburn refused to lie down and were rewarded with 40 seconds left when Richard Bentham fired home to seal a valuable point in front of a bumper crowd at Hillheads.

Solihull Barons are up to third in the table after a 9-4 win at home to Suttton Sting – Ed Eaton (above) hit a hat-trick for the hosts.

Sheffield Spartans picked up a pair of wins from their weekend double header against Sheffield Senators, recording 7-3 and 10-2 victories.

Laidler D2 leaders Deeside Dragons extended their unbeaten run to 10 games with a 7-1 home success against Coventry Blaze – Adrian Palak (4) led their scoring.

Nottingham Lions came from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 at Hull Jets.

Blackburn Eagles strengthened their grip on a top four place with an 8-5 win at home to Altrincham Aces.

WEEKEND RESULTS

NIHL North Moralee D1

Blackburn Hawks 5-2 Billingham Stars
Sheffield Senators 3-7 Sheffield Spartans
Sheffield Spartans 10-2 Sheffield Senators
Solihull Barons 9-4 Sutton Sting
Whitley Warriors 4-4 Blackburn Hawks

NIHL North Laidler D2

Blackburn Eagles 8-5 Altrincham Aces
Deeside Dragons 7-1 Coventry Blaze
Hull Jets 4-4 Nottingham Lions

(Image permission: Keith & Jenny Davies)