MATTY DAVIES was pleased to see his Hull Seahawks team bounce back from their first loss of the NIHL National season - but felt his team actually played better in defeat.

The Seahawks took a maximum four-point haul from their opening weekend with wins at Leeds Knights and at home to Solway.

On Saturday, however, they emerged from their first proper road trip of the season to fellow unbeaten team Basingstoke Bison on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline.

But it was a case of role reversal 24 hours later, with Hull hitting back with a 5-0 win at home to Telford Tigers, while the Bison saw their 100 per cent record ended in a 6-4 defeat at Romford Raiders.

It leaves the Seahawks tied on six points with both Romford and the Bison ahead of a weekend that sees them travel to Bristol Pitbulls before hosting Basingstoke the following day.

Emil Svec and Owen Bruton gave Hull a 2-0 first period lead against Telford, but it wasn’t until the third period that they were able to extend their advantage, two Patrick Brown strikes - the second short-handed - giving the hosts some breathing room before Cody Monds closed the game out on the power play with just over a minute remaining.

“It was obviously a tough one,” said Davies. “It's our first long away trip with a Sunday game this year and I think you could see that.

“I thought we started decent, but the second period I didn't particularly like - overall it wasn't our best night.

WINNING RESPONSE: Johnny Corneil battles for the puck in Sunday's 5-0 win for Hull Seahawks against visitors Telford Tigers. Picture: Adam Everitt/Seahawks Media.

placeholder image — WINNING RESPONSE: Johnny Corneil battles for the puck in Sunday's 5-0 win for Hull Seahawks against visitors Telford Tigers. Picture: Adam Everitt/Seahawks Media.

“Performance-wise, we were just a little bit off it. The lines again weren't quite working, but I think good teams find a way to win and we found a way to win.

“Saturday night was different. I actually think last night we played better to be honest.”

Sheffield Steeldogs looked to be heading for a pointless weekend when, after a 6-3 defeat on the road at Telford they found themse;ves 4-1 down at home to Solway by the halfway mark.

But five goals in seven minutes - from Nathan Salem, Walker Sommer (2), Nathan Ripley and Dante Salituro - turned the game on its head, with the hosts running out 8-6 winners with further strikes Jonathan Philips and Dante Salituro adding to Ripley’s opener at 23.19.

ON TARGET: Sheffield Steeldogs' Walker Sommer scored twice in the 8-6 win over Solway on Sunday. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Steeldogs’ head coach Slava Koulikov felt his team needed a positive response after the loss in Telford.

"It was important to get the win,” said Koulikov. "Obviously, you don't want to go through the whole of the season where you just respond to a loss by just winning at any cost.

"You have to build your own philosophy. You have to make sure that you are on a run as well.

“But I think at this stage right now, two weeks in, Sunday’s game became kind of a must-win game for many reasons and the boys responded well.”

Leeds Knights couldn’t build on their first win of the season – a 9-2 thrashing of Peterborough Phantoms at home – when they lost 3-1 to the same opponents on the road 24 hours later.

Owen Sobchak scored the Knights goal towards the end of the second period in response to strikes for the Phantoms from Luke Ferrara and Adam Berg, but Dominik Gabaj sealed a quick revenge victory for Ashley Tait’s team with a shorthanded strike at 57.25.