CONNAH'S QUAY COBRAS took a huge step towards qualifying for the Summer Classic Cup play offs with a nail-biting success at Newcastle Predators.

It was the North Wales side that came out on top 7-6 versus their nearest contenders in a close encounter at Whitley Bay.

Connah’s Quay took the lead with a goal from Slavomir Sykora after inside two minutes, before Newcastle equalised five minutes later.

The Predators moved into the lead on 12 minutes but the Cobras were awarded a penalty shot – quite a rare occurrence in ice hockey – after a quarter-of-an-hour and Chris Keating coolly slotted the puck away to level the score once again.

The second period was just as close as the first, with plenty of chances for both sides.

Predators reclaimed the lead on 28 minutes with a powerplay goal to punish a Cobras tripping call. This lead was short-lived, though, and Connah’s Quay equalised again four minutes later with a goal from Martin Rybka.

Newcastle edged ahead again but a second goal from Rybka with just 32 seconds left in the period saw the score level at the second interval.

The home side bagged the lead once more with a goal in the first minute of the third period, but they were unable to build on this and the score was tied again at 5-5 with a goal from Sam Plant just four minutes later.

Sam Kennedy, playing his first game for the Cobras, edged Connah’s Quay back into the lead on 50 minutes but the Predators countered once again and tied it up with eight minutes left on the clock.

The previous meeting between these two teams ended as a draw and had to be decided on a penalty shootout and, for much of the game, this scenario looked very much on the cards.

However, Sykora fired in his second goal of the match to put the Cobras back into the lead and they clung on for a vital victory.

This win means Cobras remain top of the Summer Classic elite group table with 11 points from seven, a point ahead of Flintshire Phantoms who beat Blackburn Falcons 6-3.

The top two teams will qualify to take part in the play offs, which will be held in Sheffield in August.

But the Deeside applecart could yet be upset by the Predators, who are now lurking in third place with two games in hand.

Connah’s Quay Cobras play their final game of the group section on Sunday, July 14 when they entertain Trafford Thunder at Deeside Leisure Centre (8.30pm face off).