Video: Telford Tigers pick up more victories

A 4-1 win at home to Guildford Flames on Saturday was followed by a dramatic 3-2 overtime success against Manchester Phoenix on Sunday.

Those wins have given The Tigers a four-point advantage at the top of the English Premier League standings, after second-placed Basingstoke lost on Saturday.

But Watkins believes his side could have ended up on the wrong side of a losing scoreline on Sunday, when Manchester dominated the opening stages.

He said: "We need to learn that when we go to places like Manchester, we won't always have it all our own way.

Character

"We weren't that good in the first two periods and Manchester could have been out of sight, but Thomas Murdy was very good for us in goal.

"We lost the first period, tied the second period and won the third period. It shows character that we found a way to win, even though we weren't playing at our best.

"The guys need to have a check and make sure they play for 60 minutes, not just 20 minutes."

On Saturday night, Scott McKenzie gave his side the lead with two goals in the second period, following a goalless first 20 minutes.

Guildford's only goal of the night, just before the break, threatened to derail Tigers' efforts, before a goal from Jason Silverthorn on 41 minutes.

Dan Davies secured the points as Telford completed an early double over the play-off finalists.

Watkins said: "It's not always going to happen straight away and I said to our players during the second interval that they had more to give.

"We gave them four key things we wanted them to do better during the third period and to start it like we did was exceptional."

On Sunday, a determined Phoenix effort gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage on 15 minutes, before Silverthorn equalised.

Manchester once again took the lead a few minutes later, before Silverthorn's second of the night at the start of the third session.

A 2-2 scoreline on 60 minutes led to a tense period of overtime, with The Tigers captain securing the spoils with a dramatic late winner.

"In the third period against Manchester we did everything right and if you create enough chances, you will get lucky with one of them," Watkins added."

The Tigers travel to Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday, before the visit of Bracknell Bees on Sunday (5.30pm).

Meanwhile, Telford Tigers NIHL claimed their sixth win in seven games with a 4-3 success at Deeside Dragons on Sunday – just 24 hours after a 9-6 victory over Bradford Bulldogs.

Those wins mean Telford are now secure in third place in the Laidler Conference, albeit having played three fewer games than second-placed Sheffield.

Assistant coach Jason Parry was delighted with his side's turnaround against the Welsh outfit, following their relatively disappointing performance in Yorkshire.

He said: "We showed a lot of character in our performance against Deeside and kept it really tight all the way through."

Saturday's goals came courtesy of James Smith (4), Joe Aston, Macaulay Heywood, Karol Jets, Russ Plant and Joshua Hustwick.

On Sunday, Telford's scorers were Macaulay Heywood, Joe Aston and James Smith (2).

Parry added: "Saturday night was a good wake-up call for us and the guys really improved.

"Deeside were very much improved from their last game against us and in their own rink it was very tough."