NIHL North week 17 Round-up

Billingham Stars rounded off their 2012 fixtures with an 8-2 victory at home to Trafford Metros. Second period goals from Ross Hanlon, Adam Robinson, Michael Elder and James Moss put Stars firmly in control against the Metros, before Anthony Price, Ben Davison, Paul Windridge and James Udell rounded things off in the final session. The result leaves the reigning NIHL double winners just a point behind Solway Sharks, keeping alive their hopes of a repeat success.
Sutton Sting boosted their play-off hopes with a three-point weekend. On Saturday goals from Simon Butterworth, Neil Hardy, Arran Jordan, Richie Oliver and Jamie Spurr helped Sting to a 5-1 win at home to Sheffield Spartans. Ian Johnson’s men looked to be on their way to another win against Coventry Blaze on Sunday as they led going into the final minute, but Blaze forward Josh Nicklin popped up with an equaliser to tie the game at 5-5.
The point helped Blaze move up to fifth in the table following on from Saturday’s success over Whitley Warriors. Gareth Owen, Stephen Heape and Philip Pollock put Blaze 3-0 up midway through the first, but goals from Callum Watson and Nathan Ryder brought Warriors back into it. After a scoreless middle period, Blaze roared away in the third with Owen, Rhys Gillat and Nicklin sealing an impressive 6-2 win.
Telford Titans put an end to Blackburn Hawks’ six game unbeaten run, with a 4-2 win on Saturday. Paul Rigby put Titans in front early on but Ivo Dimitrijevs levelled soon after. Ed Eaton restored Telford’s lead late in the first, before Jared Owen tied things up again after the break. Dan Taylor quickly made it 3-2 and Luke Hayward’s 35th minute strike sealed a deserved victory for the Titans. The following evening Titans travelled to meet Sheffield Spartans but found their hosts in determined mood. Goals from Andy Turner (2), Tom Parkinson, Scott Morris, Nick Whyatt and Oli Barron helped Spartans to a 6-2 success.
Deeside Dragons kept their NIHL2 North promotion hopes alive with a 10-0 win at Blackburn Eagles. Ben Simister, Ric Hughes, Andrew Chappell and Simon Furnival put Dragons in control in the first, before James Parsons and Brian Worrall put the game beyond Eagles in the middle session. Further goals from Shaun Kippin (2), Peter Gazda and Jordan Bannon sealed an emphatic victory. Sheffield Senators moved up to second after a 6-2 win at home to Fylde Flyers.
This weekend sees Telford face Coventry Blaze, while Sutton meet Blackburn.

 

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