Telford Tigers’ Head Coach Tom Watkins praised his team despite seeing them fall to a 4-1 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms on Sunday.

The EPL leaders went into the weekend with uncertainty hanging over them, after rumours about the club’s financial situation emerged on Friday.

Watkins’ team produced a polished performance on Saturday to beat Bracknell Bees 11-2, but they found the Phantoms a much tougher proposition.

“The guys were excellent and professional to the core,” said Watkins.

“It means a lot to me and they make my job easy. I haven’t had to motivate anyone to get up and play, as they’ve done all that by themselves.

“I think as a team that plays hockey, we were a way better team. Unfortunately we didn’t get the result. Peterborough are defensively very strong and make it difficult, but we can hold our heads high.

“I can’t question our work ethic, our desire, our commitment to the team. It wasn’t our best performance, and this is always a tough place to come and play.

“The Bracknell game was our biggest offensive display of the season – although we made a bit of a slow start trying to get our minds into it.

“I’m really proud and pleased with the boys for the way they battled, even in the last five minutes.

“They all showed a lot of character, which shows how much they want to win.”

(Image permission: Steve Brodie)