Manchester opened day two with a resounding 22-7 victory over winless Lancaster, featuring five goals by Lewis Daly and four each for Andrea da Caro (Photo: Trevor Hyde) and Spilios Kaloudis. The title was confirmed in the next game when Invicta and Solihull drew 10-10 - which meant that no team could overhaul Manchester during the televised finale weekend at Lancaster on 23/24 March.
From start to finish, there was never more than a goal separating Invicta and Solihull. With just over a minute to go, Scott Martin edged Invicta 10-9 ahead from a man-up opportunity. An Invicta exclusion led to a Solihull equaliser by Jordan Elliot - just 18 seconds from the end.
Manchester's girls, who began their day with a 22-8 demolition of Caledonia - including seven goals by Isobel Howe - will now bid to complete a winning double for their club in the women's Super 5s. But this is very much a three-horse race after Coventry, led by six-goal Kimberly Watson, pulled off a thrilling 9-8 victory over champions Otter in the final match of the Haberdashers programme.
In the final period, Otter hit back from 8-6 down to 8-8 with goals by Lily Turner and Isabelle Dean only to concede a winner by Ella Cotton 1.46 from the end. Manchester play Otter and Coventry at the Lancaster finale.