ANOTHER busy weekend saw Solihull Barons extend their winning streak in competitive ties to beyond 40 games thanks to victories over Telford Tigers and local rivals Coventry.
The Barons made the short trip to Telford Tigers on Saturday in what was undoubtedly the club’s toughest game of the season so far.
Missing a number of key players and against a Telford side who had only dropped four points themselves this season, the tie was always one to watch.
For the travelling Barons support early nerves were quickly settled when skipper Rob Eley found the net after only three minutes.
Despite the Barons continuous pressure on the Telford goal there was no further success against an outstanding Denis Bell in the Tigers net.
And Telford countered with two goals of their own to leave the Barons on the back foot going into the final period.
Things only got tougher when Bradley Betteridge put the Tigers two goals to the good.
But the Barons fought back and goals by Simon Harrison, Erik Bakalar and Tom Soar gave the visitors a narrow 4-3 win after a tense final period.
The following evening saw the Barons welcome Coventry NL Blaze to Hobs Moat for the latest in a series of charged A45 derbies.
In a fractious game the Barons would quickly show their dominance with Dave Rogers, Joe Henry, Josh Bruce, Tom Soar and Rich Slater all finding the net in the first period, while Charlie Hammerton pulled one back for the Blaze.
The second period had the Barons continue to stretch their lead with a flurry of goals, the highlight perhaps being Tom Soar racing up the ice before unleashing a rocket of a shot which all but lifted the Coventry net off its moorings for the Barons ninth goal.
And the final period saw the hosts continue to pad their totals with goals for Rob Eley, Edward Eaton, Richard Crowe and Joe Henry with a consolation effort from Philip Mulcahy for the Blaze to leave the score 16-2.
The Barons are now off for a well deserved Christmas break before they return to action on January 10 away at Sheffield.
