SAM Bullas believes that an almighty team effort was the driving force behind Swindon Wildcats turning a corner last weekend.

Before last Saturday and Sunday, Aaron Nell’s men had endured a frustrating five-match winless run and were left short-benched by injuries to the likes of Callum Buglass, Toms Rutkis and player-coach Nell himself.

However, Cats turned things around in welcome style by beating Sheffield Steeldogs 7-3 and then sealing a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory at Bracknell Bees on Sunday.

The additions of Matt Selby, former head coach Ryan Aldridge and youngster Jordan Kelsall have played their part but Bullas believes that credit should be shared across the whole Swindon roster.

“We’re short-benched, guys are tired, and it’s nice to see us coming together and turning around this rut we’ve been in for the last few weeks,” said the long-serving Cats man.

“You go through ups and down in the season and hopefully, we got our down out of the way and we’re back on good terms now.

“It’s tough when you lose a lot of players but we got (Matt) Selby in and Aldy (Ryan Aldridge), and Jordan Kelsall’s have been having a fantastic time as well, and without those kind of players, we’d be with six or seven forwards.

“Even the younger kids; Kyle (Smith) had a fantastic weekend and Adam (Finlinson), and Floyd (Taylor).

“Imports are there to do their job but Brits, in these times, have to step up but I think that quite a few of us did and that’s good for the team.

“It is tough but it happens every year and it happens to every team – guys get injured and you end up short.

“Aaron is our top goalscorer and he has the best shot in the league, so without him, it’s a big loss but people have to step up and come to play, and I think everyone did.

“Sometimes it takes a little while for the new guys to click but we’ve found that now and we’ve got three pretty solid lines now, so I think we’re going to keep going as we are.

“Hopefully the boys will come back quick and we’ll have a full roster soon.”

Nell’s men go looking to build on their four-point weekend when they host basement boys Manchester Phoenix on Saturday before travelling to Milton Keynes Lightning on Sunday.