Oxford City Stars shot up two places in English National League South Division 1 following their home weekend double-header, which brought a 10-4 win over Bracknell Hornets and a 6-3 defeat by Invicta Dynamos.

Stars went 2-0 up inside the first ten minutes of Saturday’s game against bottom club Bracknell with goals from Andrew Shurmer and Gareth Endicott.

With Lee Featherstone getting a rare goal from defence, Oxford were firmly in charge.

Hornets pulled a goal back, but Stars continued to swarm forward and Darren Elliott scored twice in the space of 34 seconds to make it 5-1 at the end of the first period.

Elliott took just 26 seconds of the second period to complete his hat-trick.

Endicott grabbed his second, before Elliott took his tally to four, and with Bracknell managing a lone reply, the second period ended 8-2.

Oxford relaxed in the third period, sharing four goals, with Elliott making it a five-timer and Martin Lee also netting.

Stars caught Invicta off guard with two stunning strikes in the opening four minutes of Sunday’s clash.

Josh Oliver squeezed the puck in at the far post, before the impressive Richard Wojciak fired a bullet from the blueline into the top right-hand corner.

But Dynamos hit back in the last eight minutes of the period with Welshman Corey Watkins beating Chris Douglas and captain Andy Smith scoring.

Oxford were then rocked as Invicta netted three times in as many minutes in the second period through Smith, Adam Copland’s long-range drive and Robbie Brown’s seventh goal of the season.

Stars rallied and Dale White’s long-range strike on the powerplay kept their hopes alive.

However, Invicta sealed victory in the third period when Smith confirmed his status as one of the best British players in the league with a superb effort to complete his hat-trick.

Coach Ken Forshee reflected: “I was very happy with the way we played all weekend.

“On Saturday it was nice to win a one-sided game and see the offence pick things up.

“On Sunday we played well, unfortunately we picked up some injuries and fell short.”

OXFORD City Stars 2nd drew 2-2 at Swindon Wildcats 2nd in South Division 2.

Nick Oliver and Sam Brou-ghton netted for Stars.