MATTY DAVIES says he expects another intense derby battle with Leeds Knights after seeing his Hull Seahawks team reach the final of the NIHL National play-offs in Coventry.

The Seahawks edged out regular season league champions Swindon Wildcats 2-1 at the SkyDome Arena on Saturday evening, ensuring a mouthwatering all-Yorkshire conclusion to the 2025-26 season.

Leeds had already booked their spot in the final when earlier in the day they beat NIHL National Cup champions Sheffield Steeldogs 3-2.

The teams have already met eight times this season, six regular season meetings being equally split, while they each enjoyed victory over each other in the group phase of the play-offs.

Leeds are expected to be bolstered by the return of some of their GB Under-18 players who yesterday completed their World Championship Division 2A campaign by clinching a gold medal.

Aside from Jason Hewitt (suspended) and Declan Jones (injured), the Seahawks will be at full strength and probably go into the game as slight favourites.

Only slight because, as Milton Keynes Lightning and the Steeldogs have both found out in the past week or so, a short-benched Knights team has proved no pushover.

“I think for two Yorkshire teams to get through to the final is great, it’s great for the game in Yorkshire - great that all three teams made it this weekend,” said Davies.

FINAL RECKONING: Hull Seahawks' head coach Matty Davies. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — FINAL RECKONING: Hull Seahawks' head coach Matty Davies. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“We know how it is against Leeds. It will be a very tough game and for me, they are always the best games of the year against Leeds - I’m sure they will probably say the same.

“I just think there is a different intensity when we play them. There’s a lot of players that have played on both teams.

“But I’m just really happy to get there (to the final) but I really do think that we can win tomorrow.”

While emphasising the impact in the win of two-goal hero Owen Bruton and netminder

Aleksanteri Heiskanen Davies was full of praise for his entire team’s performance against the Wildcats - and the way they have transformed their season over the past three months.

It saw them achieve their highest-ever regular season finish in NIHL National by finishing runners-up to Swindon, post their highest-ever points tally and now having reached the play-off final with a chance to win a first-ever trophy for the club.

“It was always going to be a tough game,” added Davies. “The longer we stayed in the game and it was tight, I felt like we were going to win because this group, over the last three months, has been able to find ways to win.

“Hesky obviously made some massive saves and he’s given us a chance to win again and those were two massive goals from Bruts (Owen Bruton).

“It was great to see him do that because he hasn’t had his best, most productive year and I know how much he wants it and how much he cares about the club - two really good goals as well.

“That line tonight was absolutely brilliant, our best line and it’s great to see them play with that much intensity and passion.”