Weekend Preview: Stars v Warriors 070123 080123
BILLINGHAM STARS will kick off the new year with a two-legged semi-final in the Moralee Cup competition, doing battle with near neighbours Whitley Warriors over the weekend for the right to contest the final against either Solway Sharks or Widnes Wild.
A 7-2 victory for the Warriors over Billingham at Hillheads just before the Christmas break gives Whitley the psychological edge in this Northeast tussle. The Tynesiders have not tasted defeat in a derby game for some time now and will be confident of extending their run and making the final. The Warriors both outplayed and outbattled their opponents last time out, the high man tactic undoing their rivals on too many occasions.
The Stars need to step up to the plate if they are to make it past Whitley and into the final. Too timid in their approach to the game in the Bay, Billingham did not put up the fight required and got the result their performance deserved. Back to the drawing board in training this week, the coaches are confident they have given their side the tools to unlock this particular puzzle and get a long-awaited win. Still without the injured Shaun Galloway, the Stars will be missing Stuart Jackson as he joins up with GB Students for the World University Games. Thomas Brown should return to the squad, and it’s welcome back to Jack Emerson who finally joins up with the team after work commitments prevented him starting the season earlier.
Billingham face Whitley Warriors in a two-legged Moralee Cup semi-final this weekend. The first leg is at the Forum this evening, face off 5.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 adults, £8 concessions, £40 family [2+2]. They then travel to Hillheads tomorrow for the second leg, face off 5pm.
Weekend Fixtures:
Moralee Cup Semi-Finals:
Billingham Stars v Whitley Warriors, Saturday 5.30pm
Solway Sharks v Widnes Wild, Saturday 7pm
Whitley Warriors v Billingham Stars, Sunday 5pm
NIHL(N)1:
Deeside Dragons v Sheffield Scimitars, Sunday 5.15pm
Nottingham Lions v Widnes Wild - cancelled