CHELMSFORD Chieftains remain on top of the Division One South table despite a mixed weekend at Riverside.

On Saturday last season’s wooden spoon team Milton Keynes Thunder were the visitors.

Despite last term’s lacklustre display, Thunder have already upset the form book both at Cardiff and Streatham this season.

Chieftains were without the inform forward Darren Brown and James Ayling, with young Jake Sylvester brought into the side from the Warriors.

The match ended 1-1, but Chelmsford know that sloppy play did not help their cause.

Edward Knaggs scored as the Thunder took advantage of a Chieftains mistake.

But Chieftains restored parity when Bailey Chittock scored.

On Sunday the Chieftains were again on home ice, taking on London (formally Romford) Raiders.

Chieftains battled hard to record a decent 7-3 victory over their rivals.

First blood went to Chieftains when Michael Ranby scoring after some great link-up play.

Jakub Klima scored a powerplay equaliser at the end of the first period.

Two minutes into the second period the Chieftains scored to take the lead once again. Cameron Bartlett found Chittock who steered the puck past Raiders netminder Michael Gray.

The Chieftains had to work hard as the Raiders attacked and Euan King in the Chieftain’s net saved his team on more than one occasion.

Chelmsford’s third came when Danny Hammond found Martin Piecha who scored with a shorthanded strike.

Chieftains made it 4-1 as Brown broke away but the scoreline frustrated Raiders and tempers flared.

Raider Phil Manny and Chieftain Bartlett prepared to square up but Bartlett was jumped from behind by Ross Wilkinson and the pair crashed to the ice.

The final period saw Ross Brears score and Turner made it 6-1 two minutes later.

With this in mind, Chieftains took their foot off the pedal and Vaclav Drabek pulled a goal back.

But the travelling fans were silenced as Chittock made it goal number seven.

On Sunday the Chieftains are back in English Challenge Cup action with higher league opposition when Guildford Flames visit the Riverside (face-off 6.30pm).