IT WAS a mixed weekend for Solihull Barons who enjoyed a win at home on Saturday before slumping to defeat on the road on Sunday.
Barons’ four-goal hero Josh Bruce bagged both the points on Saturday evening in a tie against a very short-benched Blackburn Hawks – a side who kept their energy levels high enough to edge within touching distance of a dramatic comeback.
The Barons got off to a bright start, opening up a 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Bruce and a tap in from Marcus Maynard before a Lee Pollitt goal gave the visitors their opener by period end.
By the end of the second the Barons had eased out a very convincing 6-1 lead with further goals from Bruce, Niklas Ottosson and Adam Brittle.
The Hawks clearly had the sharp tasting oranges during the break and came out for the third prepared to throw everything at the Solihull net, pulling back to 6-4 by the final five minutes.
With the visitors pulling their goalkeeper in return for another attacker in an attempt to pull back the final two goals, they left themselves vulnerable and Josh Bruce found the empty net to secure the 7-4 win.
Then on Sunday, a short-benched Barons side travelled to Humberside to take on Hull Pirates.
With Solihull going down 4-0 within the first ten minutes, a long night was on the cards and so it was to be.
By the end of the second the scoreline was 10-0 in favour of the Pirates and the onslaught continued into the final 20 minutes, with Matt Maurice managing to spare some blushes with a goal as the clock ticked down, avoiding a complete whitewash at 14-1.
Barons entertain Telford Tigers on Saturday.
