English Premier League.

Swindon Wildcats 6, Manchester Phoenix 3.

THE SWINDON Wildcats earned themselves a well-deserved two-point victory on Saturday, with an outstanding 6-3 win over top-of-the-league side Manchester Phoenix.

Little more than five minutes had been played and the Wildcats were 2-0 up thanks to Nicky Watt and Aaron Nell.

Manchester did eventually find their way back into the game, when Tom Duggan squeezed the puck past Cat netminder Tom Murdy's pad to close out the first period.

Swindon opened the second period with another goal, this time through Jonas Hoog, who determinedly chased a midair puck and put it past Stephen Fone.

However, the Phoenix rallied with their second goal, a slapshot from the blue line by Harabin.

Swindon quickly found a response and just five minutes later Czech import Michal Pinc followed up a rebound from his own shot to double Swindon's lead at 4-2.

Again Swindon got the better of the final period. The Phoenix's Cingel scored with a backhand from close range, before the Wildcats finished the stronger.

Loris Taylor scored his first of the season and Nell finished off the game in great style, beating three players before sliding the puck past Manchester's Fone.

English Premier League.

Manchester Phoenix 6, Swindon Wildcats 5.

AARON NELL took his weekend tally to five goals against Manchester Phoenix as Swindon Wildcats almost pulled off a remarkable double against the league favourites.

Having beaten Manchester at the Link Centre 24 hours previously, the Wildcats only lost out after finishing regular time at 5-5.

The in-form Nell took just 20 seconds to put the visitors in front.

A powerplay opportunity then let the home side back into the game through Duggan, and James Archer gave them a 2-1 lead.

Again, Nell wasted no time scoring at the start of the second period, setting up the chance by showing some great pace.

Fellow team-mate Michal Pinc then gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead.

Within the next five minutes the two teams traded goals – Wallace for the Phoenix, before Swindon's Richardson put his side back ahead 4-3.

It got even better for Swindon before the end of the second period as Nell collected his hat-trick and handed his side a 5-3 lead.

Unfortunately for Swindon, an early Phoenix goal in the third period from the stick of defence man Jaroslav Spelda gave the home side hope.

The Czech import then equalised at 5-5 although the Wildcats managed to hold their rivals at bay in the final few minutes.

In overtime, a shot that looked to be going wide somehow made its way into the Swindon net for a dramatic Manchester victory.

However, Swindon came away from the weekend against the title-chasing Phoenix with three points.