NIHL North round-up - week 27

04 Mar 2013 | Michael Black

Solway Sharks moved closer to their first NIHL1 North title after extending their unbeaten run to 29 games

Solway Sharks moved closer to their first NIHL1 North title after extending their unbeaten run to 29 games. On Saturday Sharks welcomed Telford Titans to Dumfries, but fell behind to a Mike Jones strike in the 2 nd minute. Mark Gallagher tied things up midway through the first, before Cameron Blakemore edged the visitors back in front after 27 minutes. Adam Reynolds quickly levelled again and Sharks moved away in the final period with further goals by Aidan Fulton and Stevie Moore crowning a 4-2 success.

The following evening Sharks travelled to Blackburn Hawks and after a scoreless opening period found themselves trailing again on 25 minutes - Jared Owen got the goal. Sharks bounced back in style in the final session as three quick goals by Craig Mitchell, Aidan Fulton and Nathan Salem sealed a 3-1 victory. Sharks need two points from their final four games to clinch the crown.

Billingham stay second after a four-point weekend. Stars welcomed Coventry Blaze to TFM Ice Arena on Saturday and moved 2-0 ahead in the first through Matty Campbell and Stephen Wallace. Rhys Gillat and Rikki Bryniarski drew Blaze level, but Stars made it 6-2 by the end of the second – Michael Elder, Dave Manning, James Udell and James Moss got the goals. Karl Culley added a seventh early in the final session and Udell’s second of the night secured an 8-2 victory.

Stars travelled to face Whitley Warriors on Sunday and went ahead after 14 minutes through Paul Windridge. Further goals in the second period by Moss, Michael Bowman and Cal Davies put Stars four in front and though DJ Good pulled one back for Warriors in the third, Stars comfortably held on to record an impressive 4-1 win.

Telford need one more point to secure their safety after defeating Sheffield Spartans. Goals by Ashley Stanton, Dan Taylor, Cameron Blakemore and Ollie Hunt sealed a 4-1 win for the Titans, leaving Trafford Metros looking favourites for the drop while Coventry appear set for the relegation play-off game.

Nottingham Lions moved nearer to the NIHL2 North title after a 13-2 win at Blackburn Eagles. Solihull Barons kept their promotion hopes alive with a 16-2 victory over the Eagles, while Sheffield Senators remain in the hunt despite only drawing 2-2 at Hull. The Stingrays followed up with a 7-6 win at Fylde Flyers.

Solway will look to seal the title next weekend as they meet Trafford Metros, while the big game in NIHL2 sees Deeside face-off against Sheffield Senators.