ICE HOCKEY: Chelmsford Chieftains bounced back in emphatic style from Saturday’s defeat on the Isle of Wight with a 15-3 demolition of an inexperienced Bracknell Hornets side.

The stage was set early on with a first period hat-trick from local boy Danny Hammond, who put in a great performance, but Bracknell did get a late goal in the period to end it 3-1.

In the second period it was all Chelmsford as the goals flew in in rapid succession, with Darren Brown netting first followed up by player-coach Gary Clarke, then another from Brown before Michael Ranby, Ross Brears, Tom Long and James Ayling all scored.

Czech star Jakub Klima then used the third period to net a hat-trick of his own, interspersed with goals from Brears and Ayling.

However, despite the big win, it still leaves the Chieftains in second place to rivals Romford Raiders, who won 5-2 against Streatham on Sunday to leave them two points clear at the top of the league.

With only four games left, the pressure is really on Romford to not slip up and with the easier of the two run-ins, Chelmsford will be looking to keep themselves within the grasp of top spot.

All Chelmsford should need is Romford to lose one of their remaining four games and the title should be coming to the Chieftains.

However, it’s still anyone’s title and the excitement and tension is building as the games are running out.