Guildford Flames 5 Telford Tigers 3

Despite missing five key players, Telford Tigers put up a valiant fight against the mighty Guildford Flames - and if not for a washed out goal might have finished even closer than the respectable 5-3 defeat, writes CAROLINE GARBETT.

With Saturday's trip to Swindon snowed off, all hopes for valuable points were pinned on a strong performance against Guildford, and Tigers did not disappoint.

Former Tigers Karl Creamer and Mark Hazlehurst stepped onto the team bench while player-coach Tom Watkins is suspended, and a trio of young locals - Adam Taylor, James Warman and Daniel Harrison - were called up to plug the gap caused by three players on GB duty and Ashley Stanton on the sick list.

And Tigers sent a ripple of unease through the Guildford camp with their opening goal from Scott McKenzie at 7:25, reminding the visitors that the small-budget side had beaten them in their last meeting.

But the Flames got fired up and won.

Full story, stats and reaction in tomorrow's Shropshire Star