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| Solway’s Gary Russell won MVP v Blackburn |
Moralee Conference leaders Solway Sharks took a big step towards retaining their NIHL North crown with a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Hawks – Pavol Melichercik got the goal. Callum Davies hit a hat-trick in Billingham Stars’ 6-3 win at Manchester Minotaurs.
Simon Harrison’s leveller capped a stirring comeback as Telford Titans claimed their first point of the season with a 5-5 draw at home to Whitley Warriors. Sheffield Spartans’ Scott Morris hit the winner in their 5-4 victory against Sutton Sting, while Blackburn enjoyed a 4-2 success at home to Manchester. In the KD Flavell & Sons Northern Cup Sutton won 6-2 at Billingham.
Deeside Dragons’ Laidler Conference title hopes suffered a major blow with a 4-2 defeat at Coventry Blaze. The result sealed a four-point weekend for Blaze who also won 9-2 at Blackburn Eagles. Filip Supa scored three as Widnes Wild roared to a 5-1 win at home to Nottingham Lions. Ben Sayer scored twice in Hull Jets’ 5-1 victory at Sheffield Senators and they followed up with a 5-3 win at home to the Eagles.
Chelmsford Chieftains are the new leaders of NIHL1 South. Ross Brears (2) and Matt Turner (2) led the scoring in their 8-0 win at home to Cardiff Devils and Turner bagged another brace as they beat Bracknell Hornets 5-0. Invicta Dynamos cruised to an 8-2 home success against MK Thunder. Wightlink Raiders beat Streatham 5-1, but the Redskins kept their top four hopes alive with a 7-3 win at home to Solent & Gosport Devils. Jakub Klima scored four in London Raiders’ 8-1 win at MK Thunder.
Oxford City Stars moved to the top of NIHL2 South after a 3-3 draw with Chelmsford Warriors. Cardiff Devils picked up maximum points with a 4-2 victory over Peterborough Islanders and a 4-3 success against Haringey Racers. Lee Valley Lions fell 7-3 at home to the Racers, while Wightlink Tigers triumphed 6-4 against Invicta Mustangs.
Manchester Phoenix still lead the EPL after a four-point weekend. Robin Kovar (2) & Michal Psurny (2) led the scoring in a 5-2 win at Slough Jets and they added a 3-2 shoot-out success at home to MK Lightning – Joe Graham got the winner. Basingstoke Bison beat Sheffield Steeldogs 5-4, but they lost ground on Phoenix after a 5-2 reverse at Peterborough Phantoms.
Scott McKenzie scored twice in Telford Tigers’ 3-2 win at Guildford Flames. Swindon Wildcats enjoyed an excellent weekend, winning 7-1 at home to Peterborough and 6-3 at Bracknell Bees. Kamil Tvrdek hit a hat-trick as Slough Jets beat Sheffield 6-3. Bracknell won 3-1 at MK Lightning.
Elite League leaders Belfast Giants won 2-1 at Braehead Clan – Dustin Whitecotton scored the overtime decider. Dundee Stars crashed 5-1 at home to Cardiff Devils, but they bounced back with a 4-3 victory against Edinburgh Capitals. The Devils also won 4-3 after overtime at Fife Flyers and 2-1 at Edinburgh.
Sheffield Steelers ran out 5-2 winners at home to Nottingham Panthers and they picked up another two points with a 6-4 success at Coventry Blaze. Panthers bounced back with a 6-4 win at home to Hull Stingrays. Ashley Tait and Adam Henrich both scored twice in Coventry’s 6-1 victory at Hull.
(Image permission: David Morrison)
