CAPTAIN Darren Elliott took centre stage as Oxford City Stars beat Bracknell Hornets 10-5 in the South Division.

But the talk after the match was all about the new rules that saw an incredible amount of penalties.

Officials have been instructed to use a zero tolerance policy on violent offences.

And that meant that Oxford ended with 30 minutes-worth of penalties, with Bracknell amassing a staggering 112 minutes.

Ironically, Elliott was the first to fall victim of the changes, lasting just 32 seconds before the referee pulled him up on an infringement and handed out a two-minute penalty.

Stars managed to see out the Hornets' powerplay, but when Andrew Cox was also penalised and given a 2+2 penalty, the visitors took advantage to take the lead.

Bracknell captain James Galazzi found the net as Cox served the final seconds of his offence.

However, within 28 seconds, Elliott, Cox and Dean Francis surged forwards and the former equalised.

Galazzi then handed Oxford a huge advantage when he was given a 2+10 penalty, and the hosts took full advantage.

Elliott put Stars 2-1 ahead in the 13th minute, and less than 60 seconds later Sam Broughton netted a penalty goal, assisted Tom Hooper and Patrick Knightley to make it 3-1.

With time running out, Bracknell's Joe Reynolds got a two-minute penalty for hooking, and Elliott made him pay by completing his hat-trick, assisted by Francis and Nick Oliver.

Then, with just four seconds remaining, Oxford won a face-off at the Bracknell end. Broughton and Tom Hopper combined to allow Sam Keyte to fire home in the top corner of the net with one second on the clock to send Oxford 5-1 ahead at the end of the period.

However, they could not maintain their momentum in the second period, and when Elliott was handed a two-minute penalty, Bracknell took advantage, Nathan Webb clawing a goal back within 21 seconds.

Hornets then had three players in the penalty box, leaving Oxford with a two-man advantage, but they could not make their dominance count.

And it was the visitors who found the net with a short-handed goal to make it 5-3.

Stars regrouped, and Cox, assisted by Elliott and Francis made it 6-3, before the same player restored the four-goal cushion when Dave Carr set him up.

The penalty calls were still coming, with Oxford's Jacob Smith the next to receive two minutes for slashing.

Bracknell's Lee Hardy scored with less then a minute to go to make it 7-4 at the break.

Two Oxford players were handed two-minute penalties at the start of the third period, but Bracknell could not take advantage.

And the Hornets' indiscipline was to cost them dear.

Bracknell's Craig Tribe was handed a 2+2+25 penalty for abuse to the referee, Jon Anderson was given a 2+16 for misconduct, Joe Reynolds got a 25-minute ban for spearing Elliott and Lee Hardy was ruled out for ten minutes for misconduct.

All four players were ruled out for the rest of the match.

As a result, Oxford enjoyed powerplays and netted twice through Francis and Elliott to make it 9-4.

Although Bracknell did pull one back with five minutes to go, Easy Chalmers set-up Francis to fire home his second of the night to complete the scoring in a lively encounter.

Elliott was named man-of-the-match with his four goals and an assist as Oxford climbed to sixth in the table.