Basingstoke Buffalo 12 Birmingham Barons 1

THE BUFFALO moved 12 points clear at the top of the English National League South after a crunching win over visiting Birmingham Barons on Saturday.

The Datasharp/Gowrings-backed home side never looked back after man-of-the-match Darren Elliott scored just 51 seconds in as he finished a move involving Rob Etheridge and Ryan Cathcart.

The home side offence in the first period was firing on all cylinders and it was no surprise when it became 2-0 at 2:19 as Dean Phillimore set up Andy Robinson to score close-in.

Soon after, Craig Astill saved a Stephen Rowlands breakaway as the visitors had a rare chance.

The score became 3-0, however, after Mark Jordan set up Drew Campbell and Simon Beere added a fourth by the halfway stage of the session.

The home side then hit penalty trouble and were reduced to three skaters but they still scored as Leigh Baker picked up a weak shot from Richard Taylor and released Jordan to score short-handed.

The first-period scoring was completed by Etheridge as he netted a tap-in after Beere's shot was saved.

For the start of the second period Vicky Robbins took over from Astill in goal and the home side scored again as Beere netted Elliott's rebound.

Taylor had a breakaway chance for the Barons but Robbins made the save at 29:50.

A minute later, Elliott finished off a great rush to the net from Etheridge that saw the visitors swap their netminder with Ashley Cathcart replaced by Elliot Folley.

The new netminder had only been in goal 11 seconds when Beere completed his hat-trick to make it 9-0.

The biggest cheer of the night came at 33:20 as Adam Franks scored his first goal for the home team from a Campbell pass.

A James Broadhurst shot was then gloved by Folley on to the crossbar before the visitors scored their only goal, through Taylor at 34:40.

The home side hit back as Elliott completed his hat-trick, slotting home a Broadhurst shot, and then Etheridge had the puck in the net but it was disallowed for a harsh man in the crease ruling.

In the final minute of the session, Rowlands broke clear but Robbins was equal to his shot.

The final period saw both net-minders take centre-stage with the final goal of the contest coming at 42:07 as Beere scored from close range.

The last session saw the Barons introduce Joel Pickering, their top penalty taker, which added to the entertainment.

However, Campbell was not amused when he was first speared and then butt-ended by Pickering and he took revenge with his fists, which earned him a six-minute rest in the sin-bin to Pickering's four.

Home coach Ed Campbell said: "It was a good performance by all the guys tonight as once again we were missing some defencemen."

On Sunday the Buffalo continue their quest for the league title as they face Peterborough Islanders (6.30pm).

Scoring, Buffalo: Beere 4+2, Elliott 3+3, Etheridge 1+2, Franks, Campbell, Jordan 1+1, Robinson 1+0, Baker 0+2, Cathcart, Sheppard, Parsons, Worship, Broadhurst 0+1. Barons: Taylor 1+0.

Shots on goal: Astill 10, Robbins 11, Cathcart 31, Folley 36.

Penalties: Buffalo 20mins, Barons 14.