SWINDON Skater Hockey’s junior team have been crowned national skater hockey champions following a convincing 7-2 win against local rivals Oxford.

The Flames went into the competition as favourites after securing their first league title earlier in the season, and will now prepare to take on the best teams on the continent after qualifying for the European Cup.

Team manager Chris Rose said: “Winning the nationals was well deserved with all the effort players have put in over the season.

“This has been a very successful year with many of the team having already played at the Junior European Cup in August, winning the league by June and now being the top junior team in the country.

“The team must now prepare for the European Cup where they meet the top teams in Europe.”

The Flames beat Eastbourne Edge 2-0 in the first of their round robin games, thanks to goals from John Spence and Ali Baker.

In their second game, two goals from Jordan Bodfield and strikes from Jack Townsend and Alex Baker secured a 4-1 win over London Street Warriors, before an impressive 7-5 win over Borehamwood Crusader Kings.

Swindon and Oxford met for the first time at the start of day two in the group stage, and after The Blues cruised into a 3-1 lead, Bodfield struck four quick goals to guarantee a place in the final.

In their final pool game of the weekend, Flames beat Stanstead Jets 4-2, but their focus had already switched to a rematch with Oxford in the final.

Dominant performances from Spence, Townsend and Leonard saw the Flames open up a 3-1 half-time lead, and in the second period Spence added another before Bodfield scored a further three to secure the title in style.