JANINE TOWNSEND and Lyanne Diotte both struck hat-tricks and Ruth Leopold a brace to lead Swindon TopCats to an 11-3 away win in their top-of-the-table clash against Oxford Midnight Stars, writes DAVE EATON.

Swindon extended their unbeaten run and winning sequence this season to seven matches.

More importantly, the comfortable victory increased their lead over Oxford at the top to four points and, with a game in hand, kept them on course to retain the Division One South League title.

Veteran Townsend, a member since day one, gave TopCats an early lead, netting the opening goal after only 132 seconds.

The hosts hit back on the powerplay at 11.54 from the returning Sarah Poulter, but 90 seconds later Leopold restored the lead from Townsend's pass.

And at 16.58 Townsend was on target again with her second.

TopCats continued to press in the second period and Leopold increased the scoreline to 4-1 at 23.48, only for the home Stars to counter at 24.56 from Poulter again.

Dioitte notched her first of the game at 27.40, but Oxford struck back again at 32.18.

Laura Merrick (33.46) and defender Becci Hargreaves (34.51) struck before the second break to extend the lead to 7-3.

And the final period was one-way traffic as Cats peppered the home net and added another four goals.

Townsend completed her hat-trick at 40.57 with a powerplay effort before Diotte bagged a brace at 48.10 and 51.01 for her hat-trick. Sarah Bennett struck the final goal at 54.05.

n TopCats scorers: Townsend 3goals + 3assists; Diotte 3+0; Leopold 2+2; Hargreaves and Bennett 1+2; L Merrick 1+0; Jenni Fleming 0+2; Sarah-Jane Davies 0+1.

Period scores: 1-3; 2-4; 0-4.

Shots on goal: Stars 18; TopCats 43.

Penalty minutes: Stars 4; TopCats 12.