Barry Spours reckons his Streatham Redskins side has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the English National Ice Hockey League.

Redskins won 5-4 at Cardiff Devils on Saturday before a 9-2 home win over Swindon on Sunday lifted them up to second in the table.

"To win in Cardiff is a great result for the team and really sends a message to the rest of the league,” said head coach Spours.

“No one goes there and picks up points without a battle and I thought we were good value for the win.

“On Sunday the lads were a little tired but with Terry England running the bench in my absence I knew that they would get the win over a well drilled Swindon side.”

Joe Johnston drew first blood for Redskins in the first period in Wales only for Luke Piggott to equalise towards the end of a first period.

Powerplay goals from Michael Ranby and Lukas Zilak gave Redskins a 3-1 lead in the second but a mad 90 seconds saw all the good work undone as Lee Duance pulled one back and Piggott netted twice more to give Cardiff the lead.

However, Redskins hit back immediately and Johnston struck twice more before the end of the period to complete his hat-trick give them the lead.

A nervous third period saw no further goals but Tomas Valko earned applause from the travelling support for winning a fight with Devils forward Chris Hart.

Redskins enjoyed a more comfortable victory back at Streatham Ice Arena on Sunday when Russ Stevens’ hat-trick plus goals from Valko (two), Rupe Quiney, Johnston and Gennadi Yufit helped them to a 9-4 win.