Mike Cowburn proved too hot for opposition defences to handle in the latest Division Two matches at Loughborough University. His remarkable haul of 26 goals in three games helped Tyldesley achieve a useful haul of five points and a move up to fourth place in the table.

At the top, however, there is no stopping Invicta. They maintained a 100 per cent record after nine fixtures – and a five-point lead over second-placed Solihull – with comfortable victories against Hucknall (11-5), Birkenhead (15-5) and Sutton & Cheam (13-9).

Solihull had to work harder for their three wins. Bottom club Leeds were easily disposed of – 15-7 – but Sutton & Cheam proved a much tougher nut to crack. An exciting game saw the periods tied at 2-2, 5-5 and 7-7. Solihull then opened up a 10-7 lead with three minutes left, only to see that advantage cut to 10-9. In the end, the Midlanders squeezed home 11-10, with Knapp scoring five and ex-international Charlie Thurley five for gallant Sutton.

Hucknall also pushed Solihull all the way – it was 9-8 to Solihull at the end of the third before they took control and clinched the points with a 13-10 victory. Ed Freeman netted five for the winners.

Invicta began their weekend with an 11-5 defeat of Hucknall – including six goals by Murphy – and a 16-6 victory over Birkenhead. Murphy (4), White (3) and Bailey (3) were the chief Invicta marksmen. Bailey’s six goals ensured Invicta’s hat-trick of wins – they beat Sutton 13-9.

Cowburn’s goal spree got under way against Leeds – he scored eight in a 16-7 Tyldesley victory. He added ten in a 16-8 success against Birkenhead and then eight more in a 13-13 draw with Hucknall.  Phil Foster won a point for Hucknall with the final goal of the match 30 seconds from the final whistle.

Sheffield’s topsy-turvy season continued. Having won all three matches on the first weekend of the season and lost all three on the second, they managed three more wins – 7-5 against Birkenhead, 9-6 against Sutton and then 12-1 in the Yorkshire derby with Leeds.

Invicta’s championship ambitions will be firmly tested at the next Division Two weekend at Bath University on 3/4 November, when they play the three sides immediately behind them in the table – Solihull, Sheffield and Tyldesley.