Kernow Lightning edge out Plymouth Stars to claim inaugural Ivybridge Inbox Hockey league title

KERNOW Lightning edged out Plymouth Stars to win the inaugural Ivybridge Inbox Hockey league.

Lightning took the title by just two points after beating their Plymouth rivals 5-4 on the final weekend.

Plymouth Eclipse took third place in the new league, with Kernow Thunder fourth.

Eclipse did shock Lightning in the open game of the final weekend, beating them 8-6, but the Cornish side bounced back with their narrow win over Stars before beating their sister club Kernow Thuner 10-4.

Stars beat Thunder 16-3, but their titles hopes disappeared with their narrow loss to Lightning and then a 4-4 draw with Plymouth Eclipse, who were unbeaten in the final weekend.

“The first Ivybridge Inbox Hockey League was very competitive and fun to play,” BRIHA chairman Vadims Mahnovs. “It was a relaxed format for players, stress free competition, lots of playing time and touches of the puck. Teams were fair and games were full of action. We do more very soon.”

Plymouth Stars’ David Partington finished as the best goal-tender with 85 per cent saves.

Plymouth Eclipse’s Mahnovs claimed the best forward title with 35 goals and three assists, while Lightning’s was the best defensive player.

Tomas Kocis (31 goals, 3 assists), Wayne Sampson (8 goals, 2 assists), Harry Crosbie (8 goals) and Adam Perona-Wright (14 goals, 4 assists) were named as dream team players, while Plymouth Stars’ Duncan Macnaughton (16 goals) was awarded the most improved player title.