Season 2017/18 - November 25th & 26th

(Action between London Raiders & Invicta Dynamos on Saturday night which the hosts ran out 5-2 winners in, thanks to Kent Sports News for the photo)

Another week and another action packed round of NIHL Hockey took place at the weekend, here is what happened in South One (Britton):-

Saturday 25th November
London Raiders 5-2 Invicta Dynamos

National Cup Group B
Sheffield Steeldogs 6-3 Peterborough Phantoms

National Cup Group D
Swindon Wildcats 3-2 Telford Tigers (OT)
Basingstoke Bison 6-1 Bracknell Bees

Sunday 26th November
Invicta Dynamos 2-3 Peterborough Phantoms (APS)
Milton Keynes Thunder 4-2 Cardiff Fire

National Cup Group C
Streatham 3-2 London Raiders

National Cup Group D
Bracknell Bees 3-4 Swindon Wildcats

NIHL South One (Britton) Latest Standings:-
1. Peterborough Phantoms Played 14 Won 12 Pts 25
2. Basingstoke Bison Played 10 Won 10 Pts 20
3. Bracknell Bees Played 13 Won 10 Pts 20
4. Swindon Wildcats Played 11 Won 7 Pts 16
5. Milton Keynes Thunder Played 15 Won 6 Pts 15
6. London Raiders Played 12 Won 6 Pts 12
7. Invicta Dynamos Played 14 Won 4 Pts 11
8. Streatham Played 12 Won 3 Pts 7
9. Cardiff Fire Played 15 Won 0 Pts 0

Only three games took place in the South One (Britton) division due to National Cup action and on Saturday evening London Raiders smashed Invicta Dynamos at home for their sixth win of the season to leapfrog their opponents into sixth spot. Invicta almost bounced back in style as they came close to beating leaders Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday night in Kent but eventually lost out on penalty shots which saw the leaders open up a five point lead at the top. And in the other league game on Sunday evening Milton Keynes Thunder maintained fifth by seeing off Cardiff Fire at Planet Ice who themselves have now lost all fifteen games this season. In the National Cup Phantoms lost again, this time at Sheffield Steeldogs, as they remain bottom of Group B with only one win from four, whilst it was another win for Streatham in Group C, their eighth win in eight, as they beat Raiders at home to male it a perfect group stage for the South Londoners. And it was a busy weekend in Group D and saw a double for Swindon Wildcats over Tigers and Bees to take charge of the group. Bracknell Bees lost both their Group games after they were thrashed by Basingstoke Bison on Saturday night too to remain at the foot of the group.

Here are next weekend’s fixtures:-

Saturday 2^nd December

Swindon Wildcats vs Invicta Dynamos

Basingstoke Bison vs Streatham

Cardiff Fire vs London Raiders

National Cup Group B

Peterborough Phantoms vs Sheffield Steeldogs

Sunday 3^rd December

Invicta Dynamos vs Cardiff Fire

London Raiders vs Peterborough Phantoms

Milton Keynes Thunder vs Basingstoke Bison

Streatham vs Bracknell Bees

National Cup Group D

Telford Tigers vs Swindon Wildcats

And now for the NIHL South Two (Wilkinson) action:-

Saturday 25^th November

Invicta Mustangs 4-3 Lee Valley Lions (OT)

Guildford Phoenix 8-4 Cardiff Fire 2

Haringey Huskies 3-7 Chelmsford Chieftains

Bracknell Hornets 9-3 Slough Jets

Sunday 26^th November

Lee Valley Lions 1-11 Bristol Pitbulls

Oxford City Stars 7-0 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Chelmsford Chieftains 5-0 Guildford Phoenix

Swindon Wildcats 2 4-5 Solent Devils

NIHL South Two (Wilkinson) Latest Standings:-

1. Oxford City Stars Played 12 Won 11 Pts 22

2. Solent Devils Played 10 Won 8 Pts 17

3. Bracknell Hornets Played 9 Won 8 Pts 16

4. Peterborough Phantoms 2 Played 11 Won 8 Pts 16

5. Guildford Phoenix Played 12 Won 7 Pts 15

6. Haringey Huskies Played 12 Won 7 Pts 14

7. Chelmsford Chieftains Played 7 Won 6 Pts 12

8. Cardiff Fire 2 Played 8 Won 4 Pts 8

9. Basingstoke Buffalo Played 10 Won 4 Pts 8

10. Bristol Pitbulls Played 9 Won 3 Pts 7

11. Invicta Mustangs Played 12 Won 3 Pts 7

12. Slough Jets Played 12 Won 3 Pts 6

13. Lee Valley Lions Played 11 Won 0 Pts 1

14. Swindon Wildcats 2 Played 9 Won 0 Pts 0

Oxford City Stars have a five point lead at the top after they mauled Peterborough Phantoms 2 which saw the Phantoms second string drop to fourth in the table.  Solent are into second spot after they sneaked past winless Swindon Wildcats 2 on Sunday, whilst Bracknell Hornets bounced back from last weekend’s loss at Chelmsford with a big home win over Slough Jets to take third spot.  Guildford Phoenix slipped to fifth after they were shut out by the Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday evening, that win was the Chiefs second of the weekend after they netted seven in a win at Ally Pally against Haringey Huskies the night before, meaning the Riverside club have now won six of their seven games so far.  Phoenix did record a good win at home to Cardiff Fire 2 on Saturday though so it wasn’t all bad news for the Surrey outfit, whilst Bristol Pitbulls netted eleven against Lee Valley Lions to record only their third win in nine.  The Lions did pick up their first point of the season the night before though, although it was in a losing cause at Invicta Mustangs after they picked up a losing bonus point after an Overtime loss in Kent, but it did move them off the bottom of the table and above Swindon Wildcats 2 who still have zero points from nine games.

Here are next weekend’s fixtures:-

Saturday 2^nd December

Invicta Mustangs vs Guildford Phoenix

Lee Valley Lions vs Cardiff Fire 2

Slough Jets vs Swindon Wildcats 2

Sunday 3^rd December

Peterborough Phantoms 2 vs Basingstoke Buffalo

Chelmsford Chieftains vs Oxford City Stars

I’ll be back with the latest action at the weekend next week in my next blog, so it’s bye for now!!!

Season 2017/18 - November 18th & 19th

(Action Between Dynamos and Bees on Saturday evening in NIHL South 1 (Britton), thanks to David Trevallion for the photo)

Here is what happened in the latest weekend of NIHL action down in the South divisions, beginning with NIHL South 1 (Britton):-
Saturday 18th November
Invicta Dynamos 5-1 Bracknell Bees
Swindon Wildcats 3-2 London Raiders

Autumn Cup Group 1
Peterborough Phantoms 4-3 Basingstoke Bison (Phantoms top group by a point from Bison who lose first game in Autumn Cup)

Sunday 19th November
Basingstoke Bison 6-0 London Raiders
Bracknell Bees 2-7 Peterborough Phantoms
Cardiff Fire 1-5 Swindon Wildcats

National Cup Group C
Streatham 6-2 Invicta Dynamos (Streatham now 7 from 7 in Group, Dynamos have lost 7 out of 7 now)

Latest Standings in NIHL South 1 (Britton):-
1. Peterborough Phantoms Played 13 Won 11 Pts 23
2. Basingstoke Bison Played 10 Won 10 Pts 20
3. Bracknell Bees Played 13 Won 10 Pts 20
4. Swindon Wildcats Played 11 Won 7 Pts 16
5. Milton Keynes Thunder Played 14 Won 5 Pts 13
6. London Raiders Played 11 Won 5 Pts 10
7. Invicta Dynamos Played 12 Won 4 Pts 10
8. Streatham Played 12 Won 3 Pts 7
9. Cardiff Fire Played 14 Won 0 Pts 0

Phantoms remain top of the pile after winning their top of the table clash in Bracknell against the Bees in emphatic style, and it was a poor weekend for the home side as they had lost heavily in Kent against Invicta the night before.  This means Phantoms nearest challengers now are Basingstoke Bison, who have now won all ten league games and sit three points behind the leaders with three games in hand, after thrashing the London Raiders at home on Sunday.  Bison had lost a close one to the Phantoms the night before in the National Cup but expect some good battles between those two as the season progresses.  Talking of the Raiders, they lost both their games as they were beaten narrowly at Swindon Wildcats on Saturday who themselves managed to win both league games last weekend when following that victory up with a win at bottom side Cardiff Fire, who remain pointless after fourteen outings, despite giving the Wildcats a good battle before the visitors ran away with it late on.  And Streatham, although not in league action this weekend, thrashed local rivals Invicta at home to make it seven wins from seven in that particular group, whilst Dynamos have lost all seven of theirs.

Here are this weekend's fixtures in NIHL South 1 (Britton):-
Saturday 25th November
London Raiders Vs Invicta Dynamos

National Cup Group B
Sheffield Steeldogs Vs Peterborough Phantoms (win for either side takes them two points closer to leaders Hull Pirates)

National Cup Group D
Swindon Wildcats Vs Telford Tigers (Leaders Swindon can increase lead at top with win, Tigers would draw level if they picked up victory)
Basingstoke Bison Vs Bracknell Bees (Bison need to win to keep themselves in chance of catching top two, Bees pretty much need to keep winning to have any chance)

Sunday 26th November
Invicta Dynamos Vs Peterborough Phantoms
Milton Keynes Thunder Vs Cardiff Fire

National Cup Group C
Streatham Vs London Raiders (Already qualfied Streatham looking for a perfect eight from eight in group, Raiders can't finish anywhere other than second behind Streatham)

National Cup Group D
Bracknell Bees Vs Swindon Wildcats (Bottom Vs Top in Group prior to Saturdays games)

Right now onto NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson) action:-
Saturday 18th November
Solent Devils 6-0 Peterborough Phantoms 2
Haringey Huskies 5-3 Invicta Mustangs
Slough Jets 2-9 Oxford City Stars
Bracknell Hornets 4-3 Guildford Phoenix
Basingstoke Buffalo 2-6 Cardiff Fire 2

Sunday 19th November
Cardiff Fire 2 3-2 Bristol Pitbulls (OT)
Chelmsford Chieftans 3-2 Bracknell Hornets

Latest Standings in NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson):-
1. Oxford City Stars Played 11 Won 10 Pts 20
2. Peterborough Phantoms 2 Played 10 Won 8 Pts 16
3. Solent Devils Played 9 Won 7 Pts 15
4. Bracknell Hornets Played 8 Won 7 Pts 14
5. Haringey Huskies Played 11 Played 7 Pts 14
6. Guildford Phoenix Played 10 Won 6 Pts 13
7. Cardiff Fire 2 Played 7 Won 4 Pts 8
8. Basingstoke Buffalo Played 10 Won 4 Pts 8
9. Chelmsford Chieftains Played 5 Won 4 Pts 8
10. Slough Jets Played 11 Won 3 Pts 6
11. Bristol Pitbulls Played 8 Won 2 Pts 5
12. Invicta Mustangs Played 11 Won 2 Pts 5
13. Swindon Wildcats 2 Played 8 Won 0 Pts 0
14. Lee Valley Lions Played 9 Won 0 Pts 0

The last remaining 100% record in the division fell on Sunday evening at Riverside Ice and Leisure in Chelmsford as the Chieftains bounced back from their shock loss in Bristol last weekend to defeat Bracknell Hornets.  The Chiefs were cruising to victory at 3-0 up but two late goals made for an exciting finale, but Chelmsford held on for their fourth victory out of five.  Hornets had won the night before, winning a tight one at home to Phoenix, whilst Solent Devils are now up to third after they thrashed Phantoms 2 in what was a superb performance from the Gosport outfit.  It meant leaders Oxford increased their lead at the top to four points after they mauled the Slough Jets in Berkshire.  Another team who are doing well are Haringey Huskies, who in their first ever season are in a very respectible fifth spot after they won a thriller against Invicta at Ally Pally in North London, and Fire's second string also had a decent weekend, winning at Buffalo and then at home to Pitbulls to lift themselves into midtable after a climb of six places.

Here are this weekend's NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson) fixtures:-
Saturday 25th November
Invicta Mustangs Vs Le Valley Lions
Guildford Phoenix Vs Cardiff Fire 2
Haringey Huskies Vs Chelmsford Chieftains
Bracknell Hornets Vs Slough Jets

Sunday 26th November
Lee Valley Lions Vs Bristol Pitbulls
Oxford City Stars Vs Peterborough Phantoms 2
Chelmsford Chieftains Vs Guildford Phoenix
Swindon Wildcats 2 Vs Solent Devils

I'll be back with this weekend's action in my next blog which will be penned next week.

Season 2017/18 - November 11th & 12th

(Invicta Dynamos and Streatham pay their respects before their National Cup clash on Remembrance Sunday, thanks to Dawn Danger for the photo)

Here is last weekend NIHL South Division's hockey action, starting with Division One (Britton):-
Saturday 11th November
London Raiders 4-2 Streatham
Peterborough Phantoms 1-2 Milton Keynes Thunder (OT)

National Cup Group D
Bracknell Bees 1-2 Telford Tigers (OT)
Basingstoke Bison 1-3 Swindon Wildcats

Sunday 12th November
Milton Keynes Thunder 0-6 Basingstoke Bison

National Cup Group B
Hull Pirates 2-1 Peterborough Phantoms

National Cup Group C
Invicta Dynamos 2-4 Streatham

National Cup Group D
Telford Tigers 4-3 Bracknell Bees

NIHL South 1 (Britton) Latest Standings
1. Peterborough Phantoms Played 12 Won 10 Pts 21
2. Bracknell Bees Played 11 Won 10 Pts 20
3. Basingstoke Bison Played 9 Won 9 Pts 18
4. Milton Keynes Thunder Played 14 Won 5 Pts 13
5. Swindon Wildcats Played 9 Won 5 Pts 12
6. London Raiders Played 9 Won 5 Pts 10
7. Invicta Dynamos Played 11 Won 3 Pts 8
8. Streatham Played 12 Won 3 Pts 7
9. Cardiff Fire Played 13 Won 0 Pts 0

Peterborough Phantoms suffered another shock home defeat this weekend and then followed this up with defeat in the National Cup, meaning two losses on the weekend, a rarity in itself.  It means Bracknell Bees, who were not in league action this weekend, can go top if they win their game against the Phantoms this weekend, although the Bees had a poor weekend, loosing a double header to Telford Tigers in the National Cup.  The team to watch out for right now are Basingstoke Bison, who are now nine wins from nine after thrashing Milton Keynes Thunder in MK.  This after MK had shocked Peterborough the previous night so it was certainly a statement laid down from the Hampshire outfit.  And London Raiders won the East Vs South London matchup against Streatham on Saturday evening.  Streatham though did defeat their other rivals, Invicta Dynamos, on the road the following day to qualify from their National Cup group with two games remaining with six wins from six.

Here are this weekend's fixtures for NIHL South 1 (Britton):-
Saturday 18th November
Invicta Dynamos Vs Bracknell Bees
Swindon Wildcats Vs London Raiders

Autumn Cup Group 1
Peterborough Phantoms Vs Basingstoke Bison

Sunday 19th November
Basingstoke Bison Vs London Raiders
Bracknell Bees Vs Peterborough Phantoms
Cardiff Fire Vs Swindon Wildcats

National Cup Group C
Streatham Vs Invicta Dynamos

Now lets look back at the Division Two (Wilkinson) action:-
Saturday 11th November
Solent Devils 8-2 Invicta Mustangs
Bristol Pitbulls 3-1 Chelmsford Chieftains
Haringey Huskies 2-11 Oxford City Stars
Slough Jets 8-3 Lee Valley Lions
Swindon Wildcats 2 2-3 Basingstoke Buffalo
Cardiff Fire 2 5-9 Bracknell Hornets

Sunday 12th November
Lee Valley Lions 6-8 Haringey Huskies
Peterborough Phantoms 2 9-2 Swindon Wildcats 2
Oxford City Stars 3-2 Guildford Phoenix (OT)

NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson) Latest Standings
1. Oxford City Stars Played 10 Won 9 Pts 18
2. Peterborough Phantoms 2 Played 9 Won 8 Pts 16
3. Solent Devils Played 8 Won 6 Pts 13
4. Guildford Phoenix Played 9 Won 6 Pts 13
5. Bracknell Hornets Played 6 Won 6 Pts 12
6. Haringey Huskies Played 10 Won 6 Won 12
7. Basingstoke Buffalo Played 9 Won 4 Pts 8
8. Chelmsford Chieftains Played 4 Won 3 Pts 6
9. Slough Jets Played 10 Won 3 Pts 6
10. Invicta Mustangs Played 10 Won 2 Pts 5
11. Cardiff Fire 2 Played 5 Won 2 Pts 4
12. Bristol Pitbulls Played 7 Won 2 Pts 4
13. Swindon Wildcats 2 Played 8 Won 0 Pts 0
14. Lee Valley Lions Played 9 Won 0 Pts 0

Oxford City Starts recorded two wins at the weekend, but only just, as after a comfortable win at Haringey Huskies on Saturday they were staring down the barrel at home to Guildford Phoenix when trailing 2-0, however they fought back to take the match to ovetime before netting the winner and win a thriller.  Phantoms 2 on right on their heels though after thrashing Wildcats 2 on Sunday, whilst the Solent Devils are up to third following a big home win against the struggling Mustangs on Saturday night.  Shock of the weekend came in the South West as Bristol Pitbulls, who had lost five out of six, ended Chelmsford Chieftains 100% start to the season with a 3-1 win.  And Lee Valley Lions are still without a win after two more defeats this weekend, although Sunday night's thriller against Haringey Huskies saw the hosts lead more than once until the North Londener's ended up running out 8-6 winners.  The Huskies themselves had been mauled 11-2 at home to leaders Stars the night before so this was a morale boosting win as they sit in sixth spot.  And finally the only remaining 100% side are now Bracknell Hornets after they put nine past Cardiff Fire 2 on Saturday, meaning they are now fifth.

Here are next weekend's fixtures in NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson):-
Saturday 18th November
Solent Devils Vs Peterborough Phantoms 2
Haringey Huskies Vs Invicta Mustangs
Slough Jets Vs Oxford City Stars
Bracknell Hornets Vs Guildford Phoenix
Basingstoke Buffalo Vs Cardiff Fire 2

Sunday 19th November
Cardiff Fire 2 Vs Bristol Pitbulls
Chelmsford Chieftains Vs Bracknell Hornets

Season 2017/18 - November 4th & 5th

(Action between Swindon Wildcats and Peterborough Phantoms at The Link on Sunday evening, thanks to Adver Sports Desk for the picture)

Let's take a look back at the NIHL South Division action that took place over the weekend, starting with One (Britton) section:-

Saturday 4th November
Bracknell Bees 8-1 Cardiff Fire
Basingstoke Bison 7-2 Milton Keynes Thunder
Peterborough Phantoms 3-6 London Raiders

National Cup Group C
Streatham 5-1 Invicta Dynamos

Autumn Cup Group 2
Hull Pirates 3-6 Swindon Wildcats

Sunday 5th November
Invicta Dynamos 4-5 Bracknell Bees (PSO)
London Raiders 3-2 Milton Keynes Thunder (OT)
Cardiff Fire 3-5 Streatham
Swindon Wildcats 4-5 Peterborough Phantoms

National Cup Group D
Telford Tigers 2-4 Basingstoke Bison

Latest Division One (Britton) Standings
1. Peterborough Phantoms Played 11 Won 10 Pts 20
2. Bracknell Bees Played 11 Won 10 Pts 20
3. Basingstoke Bison Played 8 Won 8 Pts 16
4. Swindon Wildcats Played 9 Won 5 Pts 12
5. Milton Keynes Thunder Played 12 Won 4 Pts 11
6. London Raiders Played 8 Won 4 Pts 8
7. Invicita Dynamos Played 11 Won 3 Pts 8
8. Streatham Played 11 Won 3 Pts 7
9. Cardiff Fire Played 13 Won 0 Pts 0

Well result of the weekend came in Peterborough where the Phantoms 100% record was ended after London Raiders stunned them on the road on Saturday night.  Raiders backed that up with another win at home to Milton Keynes Thunder in overtime to pick up four points this weekend.  Phantoms did bounce back to win a close one at Swindon Wildcats, the hosts themselves had won on the road at Hull Pirates in the National Cup on Saturday night to stay well in charge of their Group.  Bracknell Bees joined Phantoms at the top after they thrashed bottom side Cardiff Fire on Saturday, the Fire have now lost all thirteen games after they lost again on Sunday at home to Streatham, although they pushed the South London side all the way.  That win for Streatham made it two wins from two this weekend after they smashed rivals Dynamos at home in the National Cup to make it five from five in that competition.  Basingstoke Bison made it eight wins from eight with victory over Thunder on Saturday before they made it two wins on the weekend with victory at Telford Tigers in the Autumn Cup to bring themselves back into their group.  Thunder themselves had a poor weekend loosing both their games.

Here are the fixtures for next weekend in the One (Britton) section:- 
Saturday 11th November 
London Raiders vs Streatham
Peterborough Phantoms vs Milton Keynes Thunder

National Cup Group D
Bracknell Bees vs Telford Tigers
Basingstoke Bison vs Swindon Wildcats

Sunday 12th November
Milton Keynes Thunder vs Basingstoke Bison

National Cup Group B
Hull Pirates vs Peterborough Phantoms

National  Cup Group C
Invicta Dynamos vs Streatham

National Cup Group D
Telford Tigers vs Bracknell Bees

Right here are the results from Two (Wilkinson) section:- 
Saturday 4th November 
Lee Valley Lions 2-12 Solent Devils
Slough Jets 6-2 Cardiff Fire 2

Sunday 5th November
Peterborough Phantoms 2 3-7 Oxford City Stars
Guildford Phoenix 5-2 Invicta Mustangs
Bristol Pitbulls 4-5 Haringey Huskies
Basingstoke Buffalo 6-5 Slough Jets

Latest Division Two (Wilkinson) Standings
1. Oxford City Stars Played 8 Won 7 Pts 14
2. Peterborough Phantoms 2 Played 8 Won 7 Pts 14
3. Guildford Phoenix Played 8 Won 6 Pts 12
4. Solent Devils Played 7 Won 5 Pts 11
5. Bracknell Hornets Played 5 Won 5 Pts 10
6. Haringey Huskies Played 8 Won 5 Pts 10
7. Chelmsford Chieftains Played 3 Won 3 Pts 6
8. Basingstoke Buffalo Played 8 Won 3 Pts 6
9. Invicta Mustangs Played 9 Won 2 Pts 5
10. Cardiff Fire 2 Played 4 Won 2 Pts 4
11. Slough Jets Played 9 Won 2 Pts 4
12. Bristol Pitbulls Played 6 Won 1 Pts 2
13. Swindon Wildcats 2 Played 6 Won 0 Pts 0
14. Lee Valley Lions Played 7 Won 0 Pts 0

Their is a new leader at the top of the division after Oxford City Stars ended Peterborough Phantoms 2's 100% record with victory in Peterborough to go top on goal difference whilst Guildford Phoenix moved into third spot after a home win over the Invicta Mustangs.  Solent Devils are fourth after they put twelve past bottom side Lee Valley Lions whilst Haringey Huskies returned to action with a much needed win over Bristol Pitbulls.  Slough Jets had a mixed weekend, beating Cardiff Fire 2 at home on Saturday before falling to a narrow loss at Basingstoke Buffalo on Sunday, whilst Chelmsford Chieftains, Bracknell Hornets and Swindon Wildcats 2 were not in action this weekend.

Here are the fixtures for Division Two (Wilkinson) next weekend:-
Saturday 11th November
Bristol Pitbulls vs Chelmsford Chieftains
Solent Devils vs Invicta Mustangs
Haringey Huskies vs Oxford City Stars
Slough Jets vs Lee Valley Lions
Swindon Wildcats 2 vs Basingstoke Buffalo
Cardiff Fire 2 vs Bracknell Hornets

Sunday 12th November
Lee Valley Lions vs Haringey Huskies
Peterborough Phantoms 2 vs Swindon Wildcats 2

Oxford City Stars vs Guildford Phoenix