NIHL North round-up - week 28

Solway Sharks claimed their first NIHL1 North title on Saturday with a dominant display at home to Trafford Metros. Stevie Adams hit a hat-trick, while Nathan Salem (2), Struan Tonnar (2), Mark Gallagher (2), Calum Henderson and Stevie Moore added further goals to complete an 11-0 success. Sharks’ win means they complete the league and cup double.

Despite improving on last season’s points total, reigning champions Billingham Stars have had to settle for second place. They travelled to Trafford Metros on Sunday and after a slow start put their hosts to the sword. Goals by Karl Culley (2), Michael Bowman (2), Michael Elder (2), Cal Davies and James Udell sealed an 8-3 victory.

Sutton Sting secured third after a 4-1 win at Whitley. Jamie Tinsley gave Warriors the lead, but goals by Shaun Ashton, Craig Thurston, Simon Butterworth and Chris Sykes sealed the points. Sting will now play Stars in the play-off semi-final.

Blackburn Hawks face Solway in the other semi-final after a three-point weekend. Hawks recovered from 3-0 down at Telford Titans to draw 3-3 – Luke Hayward, Chris Jones and Karol Jets got Titans’ goals, while Matt Viney (2) and Aaron Davies replied for the visitors. They followed up with a 7-4 win at home to Sheffield Spartans – Petr Jagr weighed in with a couple for the Hawks.

The weekend’s final game in Division One saw Coventry Blaze share the spoils with Telford. Jay McFadyen gave Blaze an early lead, but two quick goals by Ed Eaton put Titans in front. Josh Nicklin levelled midway through the second, before Chris Jones restored Titans’ lead soon after. Nicklin’s second of the night after 49 minutes made it 3-3 leaving Blaze looking likely to end the season in the relegation play-off slot.

Nottingham Lions have bounced back into NIHL1 at the first attempt after racking up two huge scorelines. Lions ran out 12-3 winners at Fylde Flyers – Christy Johnson-Brown scored five – and they sealed promotion in style with a 15-0 win at home to Blackburn Eagles – Simon Hunt (4) and Stuart Parker (3) led the scoring.

Deeside Dragons boosted their hopes of reaching the promotion play-off with a 7-3 win at home to Sheffield Senators. Callum Rawson put Senators in front after 12 minutes, but Dragons hit back immediately through Brian Worrall. Pete Founds put the home side 2-1 up early in the second, before two quick goals by Tom Humphries and Joel Aheran saw Senators retake the lead. Dragons roared back with goals by Ric Hughes, Ben Simister and Steve Fellows giving them a 5-3 advantage by the second break. Jordan Bannon scored two in the final session to seal the points.

Solihull Barons kept their promotion hopes alive with a narrow 5-4 win at Blackburn Eagles. Chris Allen (2), Erik Bakalar, Richie Slater and Dave Rogers got their goals. Barons face Lions home and away in their final two games, while Senators and Dragons play again this coming weekend. Both face Hull Stingrays in their final game of the regular season.

Solway Sharks image by permission of David Morrison.

Tweets by @eurohockey