SHARKS START OFF WITH A VICTORY
The Magnox Ltd. sponsored Solway Sharks were quick off the blocks as they started off the new season with an impressive five-three challenge match victory over first division Billingham Stars at the Shark Tank last Saturday evening.

Struan Tonnar took just twenty-three seconds to open the scoring when he found the net with a wicked rising shot from just inside the blueline after being released up the right wing by an Aiden Fulton pass. Solway took the lions share of possession for the first twelve minutes of the game with the visitors threat being reduced to breakaways for the most part. However, in that time Billingham did manage to equalise in the sixth minute through a powerplay goal from Scott Ward after good work from Alex Lawson and James McCabe. Just before the twelve minute mark the Sharks were back in the lead with a five-on-three powerplay goal of their own through Frazer Goldie assisted by Martyn Mitchell and Aiden Fulton. Solway extended their advantage three minutes before the first interval when Aiden Fulton turned goal scorer as he redirected a Jamie Kerr shot into the Stars net to make it three-one. But Billingham fought back to reduce the deficit just a minute later when Anthony Price netted the visitors second powerplay goal of the evening after being set up by a combination of Scott Ward and James McCabe.

The second session started as a mirror image of the first with Billingham enjoying long periods of possession but the Sharks defence stood firm and gradually they began to fight their way back into the game around the midway point in the match. Indeed it was to be the Sharks who extended their lead through another low Jamie Kerr slapshot from the blueline six minutes before the second break with assists on the play going to Alan Crane and Terry Robertson. Billingham again responded well and a minute later found the net themselves when Alex Lawson collected the puck in his own half from Ross Hanlon. The Stars forward beat his marker for pace on the left wing before cutting inside and firing an excellent shot into the top left-hand corner of the Sharks goal.

In the final period play swung from end to end with neither side able to dominate and netminders, Gary Russell and James Flavell, both showed their class with several excellent saves. The only goal of the period came in the forty-seventh minute when Adam Reynolds collected an Alan Crane pass after another Gary Russell save, drove up centre-ice and crashed a shot past his old teammate into the Stars goal. While Billingham never stopped trying, for the remainder of the contest the Sharks held out fairly comfortably to open their account for the new season with a win.

After the game Coach Martin Grubb was in confident but cautious mood and when asked about the performance said: “Overall I’m delighted with the performance, especially that of the new lads who settled in really well. I believe that the Sharks supporters are going to see a very exciting young team this year who are eager to improve and show their worth. While I was happy with what I saw going forward there were a few things we need to work on at the back before next week. The next two games against Whitley will really tell us where we are right now and just how far we need to improve to get where we want to be.” When pressed to discuss individual performances Coach Grubb eventually conceded: “I was very impressed with the contribution of young Calum Henderson, it was a big step up for him but he didn’t look out of place at this level. As with all the youngsters it will be a steep learning curve for him and while he will be needed with the SNL team some weekends he’s going to get plenty ice time with the seniors when the opportunity allows.”