CHELMSFORD Chieftains maintained their recent run of fine form by beating MK Thunder 5-2 at home on Sunday against a side that player-coach Gary Clarke had been wary of beforehand.
"It was a good win and everybody worked hard from start to finish," said Clarke afterwards. "They are a well organised side as everyone knows but we kept working away and did well to come back from being behind to then lead 4-2 at one stage before wrapping the game up with another goal,"
A Julius Sinkovic hat-trick along with single markers from Michael Ranby and Grant Bartlett and they were enough to silence the Thunder who had former Chieftains' favourites Dwayne Newman, Simon Howard and the Randall brothers in their line up.
The home side were 2-1 down early in the second period with the Thunder goals coming from Newman and veteran Matt Roberts with Sinkovic having scored early on.
Sinkovic then tied the game at 2-2 before Ranby and Bartlett put the Essex side 4-2 ahead before another goal from Sinkovic rounded off his hat-trick in the third period which was enough to seal the game and send the home fans away happy.
A commanding man of the match performance from Darren Brown should not be forgotten and he showed why he is one of the unsung heroes of the Essex team.
This result sent the Chieftains to joint top of the league, but in second place on goal difference behind Wightlink Raiders.
This Saturday the Chieftains have a quick return league match away to MK Thunder with a 7pm face-off.
Down in Wiltshire the Warriors were in the thick of the action for the majority of the game and were 4-4 with the Swindon Wildcats until a late goal forced the Warriors into their first defeat of the season and knock them off top spot in the league.
Rory Garrett took home the man of the match award after another strong performance beyond his years, while the goals came from Ricky Mills, Lee Hounslow and a brace from Gary Brown.
Away from the ice this week the club have confirmed that Sean Barry is on a two-way deal between the Warriors and Chieftains and will play up for the Chieftains when circumstances allow it.
The Chieftains are looking for more sponsors to come on board to boost the charge for silverware and are appealing to local businesses and organisations to get in touch via the club website to see the opportunities available.