SWINDON Flames Youth team enjoyed a best-ever finish in the U16 age group at the Skater Hockey Nationals held at the Midland Roller Arena at Lutterworth in Leicestershire.

Despite going into the tournament with two players unavailable due to injury, the team played magnificently throughout the two-day tournament to finish second.

Against Chelmsford Hylanders in the final, they just fell short, as a shortage of players took its toll and a 7-3 lead was pegged back to 8-8, taking the game to an extra period where Essex side scored twice.

Swindon started slowly in their first game on day one as they went down 8-4 to Chelmsford, four goals from Liam Coleman bringing them back level before the Hylanders pulled away late in the game.

The second game saw them face local rivals and SASH champions Oxford Tornados.

The teams were level at 2-2 at the break and it remained close until the last two minutes of the game when Liam Coleman and Harry Gobey combined for two late goals to win the game 4-2.

Flames then faced South East champions Medway Assassins, who led 3-0, then 4-1 with eight minutes remaining.

However, Coleman and Gobey again combined for four late goals to edge the game 5-4.

In their last opening-day game, Crusader Saracens, from Boreham Wood, were beaten 5-2 win with Coleman scoring three and Llewellyn twice.

Flames’ final round-robin game started day two, Harry Llewellyn securing a 6-5 win over Chippy Trixsters Flames.

The semi-final saw Swindon again face Oxford and a decisive first period saw Swindon lead 4-1 as Coleman, with three, and Gobey scored.

Oxford narrowed the lead but two goals in 10 seconds from Coleman and Callum Stockley-Phillips saw the Flames safely through to face Chelmsford in the final.

Skipper Coleman was in inspired form in the final, hitting a hat-trick as Swindon raced into a three-goal lead. Stockley-Phillips also netted and Coleman hit a second treble, Llewellyn also netting but Chelmsford levelled and, despite a magnificent performance from netminder Jade Kenealy, clinched the title.

Coleman led from the front, scoring 22 goals over the two days and was elected for the dream team with his goal total believed to be the highest-ever individual total in a National Championship.

Coleman, Harry Gobey and Harry Llewellyn have been invited to trial for the GB U19 team next season.

Swindon Flames are looking to recruit new members at all levels for their 2015 teams.

Training is held weekly at the Link Centre on Saturdays from 10am-1pm under the guidance of GB ice-hockey coach Mark Beggs.

See info@swindonflames.com or ring 01793 336290 or 01793 820856.