Bulldogs player-coach Dave Williams reflects on 2025-26 NIHL North Two campaign
TOUGH TIME: The Bulldogs came close but were unable to secure enough points to make it to the NIHL Noth Two play-offs. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography.
DAVE WILLIAMS says Bradford Bulldogs have learned some harsh lessons after failing to make the NIHL North Two play-offs.
The Bulldogs went into their last game of the regular season at Deeside Dragons 2 knowing a point would be enough to clinch a place in the post-season.
But a 7-4 defeat in North Wales means it will be Nottingham Lions who go through to this weekend’s quarter-final clash with regular season league champions, Sutton Sting.
“I am obviously really disappointed with how the game finished and how the season has ended overall,” said player-coach Williams.
“We just never really got going at Deeside - they dominated large parts of the game and kept the pressure on right through until the final minutes.
NOT THIS TIME: Bulldogs’ players, pictured during the last home game of the season against Kingston Sharks. Picture: Abigail James.
“Once again mistakes have cost us. At this level, you can’t afford lapses like that, and it’s something that’s hurt us all too often this season.
“We’ve had plenty of opportunities over the last few games to pick up the points needed to secure a play-off place, but we haven’t taken them.
“We’ve had some good moments during the season but, overall, we haven’t been consistent enough to finish games and that’s why we’ve fallen short in a lot of performances.
“The expectation at the start of the season was much higher than this, and we will need to learn from it and improve going into next season.”
Williams said the Bulldogs’ cause hadn’t been helped at times by untimely injuries and unavailability of players due to work or family commitments.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED: Player-coach Dave Williams. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography.
But he believes the team still had enough on match days to make themselves a strong contender for being involved in the post-season.
“There have been challenges with injuries and illness, but that’s part of the game and we have to be better at dealing with it,” added Williams.
“Missing out on the play-offs is a disappointment - no question. The expectation was higher than that. I didnt think we would be here at the end of the season finishing bottom, let alone not being in the play-offs.
“But there are lessons there for us all - including myself - and it’s important we take those forward and come back better next season.”