Jason Coles tries to score against Swindon. Picture by Mavis Siddons.
ICE HOCKEYRomford Fury 5, Wightlink Tigers 4
A BIZARRE refereeing call denied Tigers a point in their away clash with Romford Fury last weekend.
In an exciting game, Fury took an early lead and then, while shorthanded, doubled their advantage. However, Tigers rallied well, with Mike Palin netting from Richard Nembhard’s assist.
A Tigers penalty gave Fury the opportunity to regain their two-goal lead, which they grabbed with both hands, but Tigers were not to be denied, with Palin and Nembhard teaming up again to score their second just before the break.
In the second period Romford and Vectis traded goals again, with Palin and Nembhard again pairing to score the Tigers’ third.
But with 45 seconds left in the period, Tigers levelled through Nembhard, making for a thrilling final session.
The period was goalless but, in the dying minutes, Fury bombarded the Tigers net. Goalkeeper Aaron Knight laid on the puck and the referee blew the whistle to stop the play.
As Knight moved, players for the home side poked the puck in the net and started to celebrate and the referee then decided to award a goal — even though play had been halted.
Knight was pulled from the ice in favour of an extra attacker with 30 seconds left but Tigers could not equlalise.
Wightlink Tigers 5, Swindon Wildcats 11
The following day, the in-form, well-oiled machine that is the Swindon Wildcats purred into Ryde Arena for the Tigers' final home game of the season.
Swindon were just too strong for Tigers as they posted double figures.
However, goals from Graham MacFarlane, two, Richard Gutteridge, Tony Blaize and Aaron Edwards gave Tigers some consolation.
Man of the match was Jason Coles.
Tigers’ final game of the season takes place tomorrow (Saturday), away to Chelmsford.