Barons overwhelm brave Titans

Motor Nation Solihull Barons : 18
Telford Titans : 3

By Gareth Thomson

The Motor Nation Solihull Barons concluded their pre-season programme with a convincing win over a very short benched Telford Titans on Sunday evening to take the Steve Perks Memorial Trophy.

With Titans arriving at the Solihull rink with only eight skaters and two net-minders it was always going to be a difficult night for the Shropshire side and so it proved.

The first period was all Barons, Eddie Eaton opening the scoring after a little over a minute with Connor Hubbuck doubling the tally by the 10 minute mark. Phil Lee and Josh Bruce added another couple of goals by 15 minutes. A spell toward the first period end would see the Barons add a further four in less than 60 seconds and end the game as a contest; Rob Eley, Rich Slater, Erik Bakalar and Connor Hubbuck doing the honours.

The second period continued on much the same lines with further goals for the Barons with Bakalar, Eaton and Bruce adding to their personal totals, while Richard Crowe, Joe Henry and Andrew Whitehouse also found the net. A couple of goals from the Titans George Young was some reward for the undermanned but hard working Titans.

The final period was rounded out by further Barons goals for Crowe, Bakalar, Henry and Hubbuck, while Telford's Cameron Blakemore managed to convert a powerplay for the Titans.

The Barons season proper begins this Sunday when Solihull welcome the Blackburn Eagles in the opening Laidler Conference tie. The Conference is expected to be massively competitive this season with points being both hard won and easily lost so the Barons will be keen to put two points on the board before a tricky away double header against Nottingham and Coventry the following weekend. Barons v Eagles faces-off this Sunday at 6pm, Solihull Ice Rink.

Barons Goals : Bakalar(3), Hubbuck(3), Crow(2), Henry(2), Eaton(2), Bruce(2), Whitehouse, Richard Slater, Lee, Eley

Barons Assists : Bakalar(5), Whitehouse(5), Richard Slater(3), Perry Doyle(3), Connor Hubbuck(3), Selwood(2), Eley(2), Larkin(2), Crowe, Henry, Papps, Charlie Hammerton, Bruce

Barons Man of the Match : Rob Eley

The Steve Perks Memorial Trophy was presented to Barons assistant captain Perry Doyle by Paul Shuttleworth of BBC Radio Shropshire

Next Home Game The preseason is over and now things are serious - come down to the rink this Sunday as what will be the most competitive league for years kicks off. With points at stake the Barons will face the Blackburn Eagles this Sunday, 8th September. Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3 Family ticket £16 (2 adults and up to 3 children)