NIHL North round-up - week 25

18 Feb 2013 | Michael Black

Solway Sharks have moved four points clear at the top of NIHL1 North after a pair of hard fought road wins.

Solway Sharks have moved four points clear at the top of NIHL1 North after a pair of hard fought road wins. On Saturday Sharks travelled to Coventry Blaze and found themselves 2-0 down at the end of the first – Phillip Pollok and Gareth Owen got the goals. John Connolly pulled one back after 25 minutes, but Adam Alfoldy made it 3-1 before the second break. Sharks’ top scorer Nathan Salem then took centre stage, hitting a third period hat-trick to seal a thrilling victory. Sharks completed a successful weekend with a 3-1 win at Telford Titans on Sunday – Connolly weighed in with another goal, with Aidan Fulton and Stevie Moore completing their scoring.

Billingham Stars kept their title hopes alive with a narrow 3-2 win at Blackburn Hawks. Stephen Wallace put Stars in front after 19 minutes, but Myles Dacres’ solo effort tied things up moments later. Lance Derbyshire’s long range strike gave Hawks the lead early in the second, but James Moss quickly made it 2-2. Stars looked the likelier team to find a winner and it duly arrived midway through the third, as Michael Bowman fired home to secure the points.

Whitley Warriors staged a third period recovery to claim a vital 5-4 win at home to Coventry. Mark Good and Ben Richards put Warriors ahead, but goals by Josh Nicklin (2), Rhys Gillat and Stephen Heape saw Blaze 4-2 up after 23 minutes. Warriors fought back in the final session as goals from DJ Good, Harry Harley and Tom Ralph sealed a remarkable comeback. Trafford Metros kept their faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive with a 4-4 draw at home to Telford.

Sheffield Senators are the new leaders of NIHL2 North. Tom Humphries scored six as Senators won 12-1 at Flyde Flyers, while Nathan Britton (3) and Jonathan Kirk got their goals as they beat promotion rivals Solihull Barons 4-2 back on home ice. Deeside Dragons are still in the title hunt after crushing Blackburn Eagles 19-3 – Jordan Bannon (6) and Brian Worrall (4) led their scoring. Nottingham Lions returned to winning ways with a 6-0 win at Hull Stingrays – Gareth O’Flaherty scored a couple.

Next weekend sees Solway travel to Trafford, while in Division Two Solihull take on Deeside.