BARONS came away from a busy double header weekend with back-to-back wins to cement their position at the top of the NIHL Laidler Conference.
The winning streak continued for Solihull as they first thumped Bradford Bulldogs 19-2 before thrashing rivals Coventry Blaze 14-1 to increase their lead at the top to eight points.
On Saturday the Barons travelled to play basement side Bradford Bulldogs in what turned out to be a fairly straightforward tie, with Josh Bruce getting involved in a fight on the way to picking up no less than nine points through two goals and seven assists.
And on the following evening Barons were back on home soil as they welcomed National League Coventry Blaze for the eagerly anticipated A45 derby.
The visitors, by most people’s expectations, have under performed this season and the Barons, who had a short bench due to injuries a conflicting tie for the juniors, made a return to form unlikely.
It took the table toppers just one minutes to get their noses in front when Ryan Selwood found time and space before slotting home the opener.
Blaze held firm and for much of the period they were able to at least contain the Barons and a 13th minute goal by Antti Kohvakka pulled the visitors level.
But this appeared to give the Barons some more focus and by the end of the first period Connor Hubbuck, Thomas Janak and Edward Eaton had given the Barons a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The hosts began to dominate proceedings and managed to score five more goals in the second period, the highlight of which came from Niklas Ottosson whose skill saw him break through the Blaze defence before scoing.
Dave Rogers scored moments later and the second period also saw a brace of goals come from Tom Soar and a single from Joe Henry.
Tensions were high in the final period with Coventry’s Dale Buckland and Baron’s Tomas Janak going toe-to-toe and tempers flared on the bench too which caused a delay whilst the official handed out penalties.
When play resumed the Barons were able to extend their lead further and goals from Andy Whitehouse, Connor Hubbuck, Josh Bruce, Jake Larkin and Niklas Ottosson wrapped up another comfortable weekend.
The Barons are back in action this weekend when the Nottingham Lions make the relatively short trip to Solihull.
