NIHL Weekend Action

Stars tame Lions as Billingham start New Year on a high

Billingham Stars        5

Nottingham Lions      3

Playing host to Nottingham Lions for the first time this season, Billingham Stars were hopeful that they could get their New Year off to the best possible start as they lined up with eighteen skaters and first choice shot stopper James Flavell between the pipes. The Lions, meanwhile, made the trip to The Forum with a slightly smaller squad of sixteen players which included forward Cameron Pywell, alternate captain Marc Levers and netminder Thomas Hovell.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Faced with Matt Bradbury’s determined Lions, Billingham looked to open the scoring and, though forced to work hard to beat Hovell, were able to take the lead on 5:52 when forward Chris Sykes surpassed Nottingham’s defence with help from fellow alternate captain Callum Davies to disappoint the visitors. Shortly afterwards, a tripping penalty for Latvian forward Deniss Baškatovs presented the Lions with a power play opportunity but, in spite of Nottingham’s efforts, the Stars worked effectively and returned to full strength unscathed. Just thirteen seconds after Baškatovs was restored to the ice, the home team found themselves shorthanded for a second time when blue liner Darren Stattersfield made way for holding but, again, the Stars dealt with Nottingham’s offensive play to prevent the Lions from scoring an equaliser. Less than two minutes after returning to the ice, Stattersfield then made amends for his misdemeanour as he threaded a pass to Sykes who hit home with his second of the evening on 15:44. The score line now 2-0, the Lions strove to get themselves back on track but Billingham’s defence held strong, with both netminders called upon in the latter stages of the period. With no further alterations to the scoreboard, the Stars were able to head in the happier of the two teams, though Nottingham were aware that they were very much still in the game.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Heading back onto the ice, Nottingham returned with a clear objective to find the net and worked hard to test Flavell early in the second stanza. The Lions’ attacking play paying off, the Stars were dismayed to concede on 23:43 when forward Pywell netted to take his team within a goal of their opposition following linkup play between forward Paul Stanley and defenceman Joseph Gretton. Forty three seconds later, an interference call against forward Callum Davies allowed the Lions to claim a third successive power play which was enhanced moments later following a tripping offence from ‘D’ man Andy Finn to allow Nottingham a five-on-three situation. Though placing Flavell under pressure, the Lions were unable to draw level on the advantage as Billingham laboured to hamper their visitors’ creative play. With both sides working hard in front of goal subsequent to these penalties, neither team could add to their tally as they battled for possession and, with just under four minutes remaining in the period, both teams ran into penalty trouble. Called to the sin bin for delaying the game on 36:31, Pywell was soon joined by Stars’ defenceman Matthew Campbell who was considered guilty of tripping just eight seconds later. Though their power play was cancelled out as a result, Billingham quickly found themselves with the additional skater once more when Nottingham’s captain Elliot Perrin incurred a minor for interference. Realising the need to convert this power play with the score line still so close, the Stars notched a third on 37:22, this time captain Michael Elder the man on target courtesy of Latvian defenceman Artūrs Ozols, following a pass from Stattersfield. With the clock running down and the period in its final minute, Billingham’s defenceman Finn then found himself sidelined for roughing to allow the visitors the remainder of the power play on their return to the ice.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Beginning the third and final stanza on the power play, the Lions were determined to make their additional man count and did so within fifty three seconds of faceoff as experienced forward Levers accomplished the seventh league goal of his campaign. Reducing their deficit to just one goal, Nottingham set out to build on their creative play but Billingham were unwavering in their quest for a victory and instead put their efforts into grabbing another goal which was delivered on 46:36 by Sykes as the alternate captain completed his hat trick courtesy of Callum Davies. Their deficit increased once again, the Lions ensured a quick response as young forward Joe Humphries hit back with a superb unassisted effort to make it 4-3 just under two minutes later. Stars’ player-coach Richie Thornton was then made to sit out for unsportsmanlike conduct but shortly after, it was the turn of Nottingham’s junior defenceman Tyler Poole to head to the sin bin for tripping. With this penalty almost served, the Teessiders then gave up their advantage as player-coach Michael Bowman made way for boarding on 53:52 but it was not long after that Lions’ forward Levers was made to sit out for unsportsmanlike conduct to see Billingham awarded a short power play. It was only when these penalties were served however, that the Stars were able to secure their win, Elder grabbing his second of the evening with support from Sykes and Ozols to make it 5-3 with less than two minutes remaining. The Stars showing themselves to be the more dominant side as the clock counted down, the Lions were unable to retaliate ahead of the final buzzer to allow Billingham to claim their victory.

Solway in seventh heaven as Sharks sink Warriors 

Solway Sharks          7

Whitley Warriors       3

Taking to the ice against Whitley Warriors for their first game of 2018, Solway Sharks had at their disposal a strong line-up of sixteen skaters which included two-way player Josh Grieveson and youngsters Ben Coughtrie and Lewis Houston, although left winger Steven Moore, alternate captain James Hutchinson and injured first choice shot stopper Calum Hepburn were absent from the side on this occasion. The Warriors, meanwhile, journeyed to the Dumfries Ice Bowl with a nineteen-man squad as captain Dean Holland, alternate captain Shaun Kippin and new signing Sam Zajac were amongst those to make the trip whilst forwards Ryan Sample, Callum Watson, Adam Finlinson and defenceman Martin Crammond were unable to travel.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Setting out to cause problems for Whitley’s defence, Solway Sharks looked to try Warriors’ netminder Richie Lawson from faceoff but the Dumfries outfit were met by some strong offensive play from their visitors in the early stages of the period to see shot stopper Kyle Johnston tested in the opening minutes. However, the home team soon took back control of the game when Czech defenceman Vaclav Kolarik worked with forward Connor Henderson to play the puck to alternate captain Ross Murray who rocketed a shot beyond Lawson to open the scoring in style on 8:30. Unnerved by this goal, the Warriors rallied to respond and did so with success just twenty five seconds later through alternate captain Kippin after some quick work from player-coach David Longstaff and blue liner Josh Maddock. The Sharks were determined to cut short Whitley’s celebrations however and it showed, as forward Scott Henderson danced his way through the Warriors’ defence to net on 9:53. Striving for a second equaliser, Whitley were then disappointed when Kippin headed to the sin bin on 13:26 for slashing. Awarded a power play, Solway worked hard in the Warriors’ defensive zone, Connor Henderson receiving the puck from stand-in alternate captain Kyle Horne to pick out Czech defenceman Marek Charvát who fired from distance to make it 3-1. Showing no signs of letting up in offence, the Sharks then bagged themselves a fourth goal through forward Daniel Abercrombie just thirty eight seconds later; Connor Henderson teaming up with Kolarik to assist once again. It was after this goal that Longstaff opted to switch netminders, replacing Lawson with shot stopper Jordan Boyle. Though attempting to counter Solway’s offensive play, the Warriors found their defence placed under increasing pressure as the margin between themselves and the home team widened but the outfit were able to prevent the Sharks from scoring further to file from the ice with a three-goal deficit.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice for the second stanza, the Warriors were aware that they had much work to do to stand a chance of getting back into the game. Proving problematic in front of the Sharks’ net, Whitley’s captain Holland collided with netminder Johnston following an attempt on goal which incensed Solway and ultimately led referee Colin Connor to sideline Sharks’ captain Struan Tonnar for unsportsmanlike conduct. Facing off on the power play, Warriors’ Canadian import Philip Edgar played the puck to Holland who unleashed a shot to beat Johnston just three seconds into their advantage. Nineteen seconds later, an elbowing call against Johnston saw Whitley gain another power play opportunity; Ben Richards picking out Zajac, following a pass from Holland, to see the experienced defenceman shoot from just inside the blue line to take the Warriors within one goal of their opposition on 24:13. Realising their need to increase their efforts on Boyle’s net, Solway strove to extend their lead but their visitors dealt with the danger to ensure that this was not possible. A hooking call against Tonnar once again presented Whitley with the advantage but, unable to make the most of the additional man on this occasion, the Warriors were forced to contend with the Sharks who repeatedly sought an avenue through on goal to make Boyle work hard at the other end of the ice, the netminder pulling off some excellent saves. As the period came to a close with the score line still 4-3, Kippin headed to the sin bin for a second time, his offence holding on this occasion. Effective on the penalty kill, Longstaff’s line-up saw off Solway’s attacking play to ensure that their efforts were not undone ahead of the interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Though hoping to begin the third period with the same amount of firepower demonstrated at the start of the second stanza, Whitley found play far more level than it had been as Solway set out to ensure that the points would be theirs. A holding penalty for Warriors’ alternate captain Jordan Barnes on 44:50 saw the Sharks go on the power play and, although unable to make their efforts count on the advantage, Solway gained momentum to hit the target just before the halfway point in the period, this time forward Joe Coulter beating Boyle to make it 5-3 following passing play from Kolarik and blue liner Stuart Kerr. Buoyed by this goal, Solway achieved a sixth just over a minute later when Kolarik again combined with Connor Henderson to see the forward print his own name on the scoresheet. Subsequent to this goal, Whitley then placed Lawson back in net to allow the netminder to see out the game. Just over five minutes after this goal was scored, the Warriors went shorthanded once more, this time Kippin sitting out for boarding. Continuing to dominate possession following their clear three-goal lead, the Sharks were keen to grab a seventh on the power play and did so as Murray slotted home courtesy of Horne and Kolarik to wrap up the scoring for his side. With the Warriors resigned to their defeat, Solway saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to move up to third place in the league standings.

Considering the outcome of this clash, Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb shared: “I thought we started pretty well and took our chances which gave us a decent lead in the first period but then we got completely outworked in the second period and Whitley were the better team. We had to make a few adjustments at the second break and I felt we came out better in the third and stepped it up a little, although I never felt Whitley were ever out of the game. It was a good two points against a tough opponent and we were happy with that.”

  

Warriors overpower Barons as Solihull slip up on road

Whitley Warriors                5

Solihull Barons                   3

After Saturday’s defeat to Solway Sharks, Whitley Warriors were hopeful of achieving two points in front of a home crowd against close competition Solihull Barons on Sunday evening as they lined up with nineteen skaters and netminders Richie Lawson and Jordan Boyle whilst  the side’s absentee list consisted of versatile ‘D’ man Will Robson, stand-in defenceman Martin Crammond and young forward Ross Douglass whilst long-serving Warrior Callum Watson was unavailable for the first period. By comparison, Solihull travelled to Hillheads with a squad of eighteen which included Swedish import Niklas Ottosson, forward Thomas Soar and experienced alternate captain Marcus Maynard, the oufit missing only youngster Matthew Maurice and netminder Michelle Franklin.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Facing off against Solihull Barons, Whitley Warriors found themselves up against difficult opposition and strove to test netminder Josh Nicholls from the outset whilst their visitors worked hard to break up their offensive play to create some opportunities of their own. Both teams rapidly switching between zones to cancel out each other’s efforts, the Warriors then made the most of their possession when blue liner Josh Maddock found player-coach David Longstaff who, in turn, picked out a pass to Jordan Barnes to see the alternate captain achieve his ninth league goal of the season on 5:13. Searching for an equaliser, the Barons continued to battle for the puck with forwards Soar, Ottosson, Philip Mulcahy and Brittle brothers Adam and Luke amongst those challenging Lawson and his defence. Though building pressure in Whitley’s defensive zone to outshoot the Warriors by sixteen shots to six, the Barons struggled to find a way onto the scoreboard in spite of their many chances and equally saw off the home team’s attempts to ensure that they were trailing by no more than a goal at the first interval.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the ice for the second period, the Warriors were eager to increase their attack on Nicholls’ net but were themselves surprised when their second goal was delivered with an unassisted shot from Whitley’s defensive zone by blue liner Harry Harley which astoundingly flew beyond the Baron to make it 2-0 on 23:13. With the opening of the second period working in Whitley’s favour, Solihull realised that they needed to get back into the game before it was too late and did so just over a minute later as Soar teamed up with alternate captain Marcus Maynard to allow Ottosson to rush clear of Whitley’s defence and pull back a goal for his side on 24:31. Just thirty one seconds later, the Warriors were further dismayed when Solihull’s captain Josh Bruce demonstrated his skill to ease past the home team’s defence without too much trouble, hardworking forward Mulcahy linking up with Adam Brittle to allow their teammate to equalise. Spurred on by their attacking play, the Barons appeared unstoppable and were quick to defeat Lawson again to take the lead for the first time in the game, this time Ottosson turning assist alongside Soar to set up Maynard. Hugely disappointed to see their fortunes altered in the space of approximately two minutes, the Warriors were forced to strengthen their defensive efforts and were able to keep Solihull at bay before going shorthanded just before the halfway point in the period as alternate captain Shaun Kippin made way for unsportsmanlike conduct to hand the Barons the advantage. Digging in deep, the Warriors saw off Solihull’s creative play to return to full strength unscathed and began to test Nicholls once more as they looked to draw level. Unable to grab an equaliser prior to the break, Longstaff’s line-up headed in on the wrong end of the 3-2 score line with the aim to make amends in the third period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Filing back onto the ice for the final period of the game, the Warriors were eager to regain the upper hand and it showed as Nicholls found himself the busiest of the two netminders whilst the Barons sought to counter but without success. With a stalemate establishing as Whitley built pressure in their visitors’ defensive zone and the Barons relentlessly prevented their efforts on goal to try their luck at the other end of the ice, it was with over thirteen minutes of the period played that the Warriors were eventually able to tie the game at 3-3 as DJ Good’s shot landed behind Nicholls, allowing fellow forward Ben Richards to tap it into the net; Adam Finlinson also assisting. Buoyed by this goal, the Warriors then aimed for the lead to take maximum points from the fixture after falling behind early in the second period and were able to snatch a fourth when player-coach Longstaff raced against the Barons’ defence to pass to Harley on the wing; the defenceman accomplishing his fifth league goal of his campaign on 56:29. This goal prompting a timeout from Solihull, the Warriors were forced to defend their fragile lead with just over three minutes left of the game but this task was made even more difficult when Barnes was shown to the sin bin for tripping on 59:11, allowing the visitors to pull Nicholls from his net to ice an additional skater. Just after play resumed though, the Warriors were offered much reprieve when Adam Brittle was sidelined seven seconds later for the same offence to see play return to Whitley’s offensive zone. Determined to make their lead a more comfortable one in the final moments of the game, Holland carved a path through the Barons’ defence to fire home courtesy of Canadian import Philip Edgar and sturdy defenceman Sam Zajac. Thirty six seconds later, the final buzzer sounded to secure the two points for Whitley, leaving the Barons frustrated to leave Hillheads empty handed, having come so close to achieving a win. 

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio after this fixture, Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff reflected on Whitley’s double header: “I think we played really well for two thirds of the weekend but we made a few mental errors at crucial times in the game. It would have been an absolute travesty if we didn’t get anything out of tonight’s game.”

Dogs’ steel sees Sheffield triumph over Sharks

Sheffield Steeldogs                   3

Solway Sharks               0

Making the trip to Sheffield with the same outfit that faced Whitley Warriors on Saturday evening, Solway Sharks were hopeful that they could put Sheffield Steeldogs to the test as Ben Morgan’s team took to the ice with a line-up of seventeen skaters which featured captain Lewis Bell, forward Cameron Brownley, alternate captain Timothy Smith and Slovakian import Milan Kolena, whilst shot stopper Brandon Stones started in net for the side ahead of Dmitri Zimozdra.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Setting out to at least compete with the former EPL team, Solway Sharks were faced with the equally strong Steeldogs who sought to control possession and thereby build momentum in their visitors’ defensive zone. However, remaining composed, Martin Grubb’s men were able to work hard to thwart Sheffield’s attempts on backup shot stopper Kyle Johnston’s net to engage in some end-to-end play, the puck moving swiftly between zones as the Sharks forced shot stopper Stones into action in their efforts to take the lead. An interference penalty for Czech defenceman Marek Charvát on 11:20 saw the Steeldogs go on the power play but even then the Sharks proved effective on the penalty kill to prevent Sheffield from grabbing a goal. Continuing to try their luck in offence, neither team were able to find the net prior to the break and the Steeldogs only just outshot the Sharks by thirteen to ten, the period an evenly matched one between two strong teams.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Taking to the ice for the second period, both teams were keen to open the scoring but it was the Steeldogs who got off to the better start as Kolena buried the puck beyond Johnston after neat work between defenceman Thomas Relf and Brownley on 21:46. Just eighteen seconds later, the Sharks suffered a further setback when Relf teamed up with captain Bell to assist Brownley’s effort on goal with success to make it 2-0, leaving Solway to battle against this margin. Seven seconds after this goal, the Steeldogs went shorthanded as player-coach Morgan made way for tripping but despite their attempts to capitalise, the Sharks were unable to reduce their deficit. By no means willing to give up on the points, Solway continued in their efforts to make amends for their concession at the start of the period but Stones remained sturdy between the pipes to ensure his side’s lead was not threatened. A diving penalty for Sharks’ captain Struan Tonnar on 31:49 then saw the home team gain their second power play of the evening but again, Solway’s defence held strong to ensure that the outfit could head in at the break no more than two goals behind their opposition and the stronger of the two sides to make amends for their mistakes earlier in the period.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

It was not long after their return to the ice that the Sharks incurred another minor, this time Charvát warming a seat for crosschecking on 42:50. Again, the Steeldogs could not beat Johnston with the advantage and the Sharks returned to full strength to continue their attack on Stones’ net, working the puck around Sheffield’s defensive zone, though failing to make the desired impact to get back into the game. As such, Morgan’s team remained composed, biding their time to notch a third goal through defenceman Smith who scored from the point courtesy of Slovakian forward Adrian Palak on 47:12 to punish their visitors further. Fifty five seconds later, left winger Liam Charnock was sidelined for boarding to see Solway awarded a power play but the Sharks’ attack was dealt with by the Steeldogs to leave the scoreboard unchanged. Moments later, both sides ran into penalty trouble as Bell took two minutes for holding whilst Sharks’ forward Duncan Speirs sat out for slashing. Shortly afterwards, Solway were then handed a four-on-three situation when Brownley joined his teammate following a slashing call but again, the Dumfries outfit could not convert this opportunity and the side would be left to rue their missed chances as the game came to a close without any changes to the 3-0 score line to see the Sharks remain in third position whilst the Steeldogs’ stretch their lead at the front of the pack to four points.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking back on this defeat, Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb revealed: “We always knew this game would be very tough and missing a couple of key guys didn’t help but it gave others the opportunity. I thought we played well in the first and were the slightly better team but again, we had a very sloppy start to the second period and the Steeldogs punished us. We tried to get back into the game but the quality and depth of Sheffield showed in the third and we struggled to make any offensive impact. It’s not a great result for us but credit to a good Sheffield team. We will now regroup and learn from our defeat.”

Stars eclipsed by Tigers’ firepower as Billingham lose out on the road

Telford Tigers                                       8

Billingham Stars               2

Making the lengthy trip to Shropshire on Sunday evening, Billingham Stars travelled with an eighteen-man team which included starting shot stopper James Flavell, player-coach Michael Bowman and captain Michael Elder, the side missing forwards Josh Nertney, Callum Davies, Jack Davies and Ross Hanlon whilst netminder Callum Reynolds took absentee Mark Watson’s place on the bench as backup. The Tigers, meanwhile, had at their disposal their usual compact but incredibly strong roster which consisted of eight forwards, eight defencemen and netminders Denis Bell and Jonah Armstrong as player-coach Tom Watkins and forward Benjamin Washburn did not take to the ice for this clash.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Requiring two points to keep up with the competition at the top of the table, Telford Tigers were looking to make a positive impact in the opening moments of this fixture and did so, scoring with just 1:19 on the clock as Player of the Month Scott McKenzie teamed up with fellow forward Dale White to allow former Star Jack Watkins to grab a goal against his former club. Shortly after this goal, the Tigers went shorthanded as McKenzie was sidelined for slashing to hand Billingham a power play. However, the visitors were unable to make this opportunity count and watched their opposition return to full strength only to find themselves reduced to four men shortly afterwards when Bowman sat out for hooking on 6:50. Dominating possession to test the Stars’ defence and, in particular, Flavell who was called upon time and again to deal with the onslaught, Telford worked the puck around Billingham’s defensive zone in a bid to snatch another goal but were unable to do so. Though offered some reprieve in the form of a power play when Tigers’ captain Jason Silverthorn was made to warm a seat in the sin bin for holding on 13:25, Billingham again failed to capitalise on their advantage. Just twenty seconds after Silverthorn returned to the ice, the Stars’ were presented with a five-on-three power play when alternate captain Rick Plant and defenceman Adam Jones were made to serve minors for unsportsmanlike conduct and interference respectively. Even with this advantage, Billingham could not beat shot stopper Bell and watched on as their opposition returned to full strength to score just over a minute later when forward Brodie Jesson played the puck to Silverthorn, his captain hitting the target on 18:49. Trailing by two goals, Billingham were reduced to four men in the final minute of the period as Bowman earned himself a second penalty for hooking to allow the Tigers to return to the ice with over a minute of their power play remaining.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Looking to pick up from where they left off, Telford searched for a goal with the additional skater but could not convert their power play due to Flavell’s excellent netminding and instead waited until the twenty sixth minute to bag themselves a third goal, this time forward Adam Taylor netting following assists from Silverthorn and fellow forward Jed Moreland. Just thirty seconds later though, the home team suffered a setback when defenceman Corey Goodison headed to the sin bin for tripping to see Billingham gain a power play and, though initially unable to find the net, the Stars built sufficient momentum to open their account eight seconds after Goodison’s return to the ice, forwards Jack Emerson and James Moss working together to support Bowman’s effort on goal. The score line 3-1, the Tigers were quick to ensure that their visitors’ celebrations did not last long, the outfit snatching a fourth on 29:35 through Plant who accomplished his seventh league goal of the season with support from fellow alternate captain Jonathan Weaver and Silverthorn. It was not long after this goal that matters were made worse for the Stars as Latvian defenceman Artūrs Ozols was sidelined for holding only for blue liner Darren Stattersfield to join his teammate in the sin bin ten seconds later. Enjoying their own five-on-three power play as a result, Telford took little time to make their offensive efforts count as McKenzie fired home; Plant and Weaver bagging assists. Having returned to full strength shortly afterwards, the Stars then conceded a sixth as Plant surpassed Billingham’s defence to allow Silverthorn to claim his second goal of the evening on 35:49 and, just over a minute later, Telford made it 7-1 when White’s unassisted effort defeated Flavell. Unable to retaliate in spite of their attempts to counterattack, Billingham were forced to file from the ice with a six-goal deficit and much work to do in the remaining period if they were to stand any chance of narrowing the gap between themselves and their opposition.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Allowing young netminder Jonah Armstrong some ice time in place of Bell, the Tigers could be contented with their work and knew that they only had to see out the period without heavy concession to claim two points from this clash. Facing off for the third period, it took the Stars just forty three seconds to incur another penalty as Bowman was sidelined; tripping his offence on this occasion. Working hard to kill this penalty, Billingham then excelled further as the side seized a shorthanded goal with just ten seconds of Bowman’s punishment remaining; Elder burying the puck on the breakaway when Latvian forward Deniss Baškatovs played a pass to his captain alongside Stattersfield. Less than two minutes later, the Stars gained a power play as McKenzie was shown to the sin bin for hooking but, failing to alter the scoreboard, Billingham watched Telford’s penalty terminate to immediately find themselves reduced to four men as Bowman sat out for holding. Unable to make an impact in front of goal with the additional man, the home team found play to be far more even than it had been in the first two periods with Armstrong facing just one shot more than that of Flavell. With the period coming to a close, the Teessiders were aware that there was little they could do to change their fate whereas the Tigers were within touching distance of victory and grabbed another on 55:12 to leave the contest beyond doubt, versatile defenceman Daniel Rose linking up with Plant to see Jesson achieve his fourth goal of the season, making the score line 8-2. The Stars unable to battle back from this with time fast running out, Telford claimed their comfortable win when the final buzzer sounded to leave Billingham just one point ahead of ninth-placed Nottingham Lions.

Looking back on the Stars’ double header, alternate captain Chris Sykes noted: “It was a good weekend and to get two points out of four wasn’t bad. It’s probably reasonable, having played against the Tigers who are a very good team and at the top for a reason. It was nice to get another win and now we move on to next weekend.”

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