Whitley Warriors moved five points clear at the top of NIHL North Moralee D1 after inflicting Blackburn Hawks’ first defeat in 22 months.

Aaron Davies put Blackburn ahead after two minutes, but goals by David Longstaff and Callum Watson saw the home team 2-1 up at the first break.

After a scoreless middle period Longstaff extended Whitley’s lead in the 45th minute, but Davies brought the visitors to within one goal with just over six minutes left.

Blackburn pulled netminder Danny Brittle in search of an equaliser, but Longstaff duly completed his hat-trick courtesy of an empty-netter to seal a 4-2 win and send the sizeable home crowd wild.

Dennis Boström and Chris Sykes both hit hat-tricks for Billingham Stars as they made it five wins from their last seven games with an 11-4 victory at home to Sheffield Senators.

Josh Bruce (2) led the scoring for Solihull Barons as they triumphed 6-2 at home to Sutton Sting.

Deeside Dragons are the new leaders of Laidler D2 after picking of a pair of wins.

The North Wales outfit looked to set drop a point as they were tied 2-2 at home to Hull Jets late in the third period, but goals in the final two minutes by Filip Supa (above) and Alex Parry secured a 4-2 success.

Adrian Palak (4) led Deeside’s scoring as they followed up with a comfortable 9-1 win at Coventry Blaze – Supa also weighed in with another couple.

Widnes Wild are up to second in the table after collecting two victories against Blackburn Eagles.

Scott McKenzie and Geoff Wigglesworth both scored twice in a 7-2 road success, and McKenzie was at it again with another pair in their 8-4 home win – Michal Fico and Shaun Dippnall also bagged two goals apiece.

NIHL North Moralee D1

Billingham Stars 11-4 Sheffield Senators
Solihull Barons 6-2 Sutton Sting
Whitley Warriors 4-2 Blackburn Hawks

NIHL North Laidler D2

Blackburn Eagles 2-7 Widnes Wild
Coventry Blaze 1-9 Deeside Dragons
Deeside Dragons 4-2 Hull Jets
Widnes Wild 8-4 Blackburn Eagles

(Image permission: PSD-Images)