AARON Nell expressed his delight after Swindon Wildcats confirmed a third successive four-point weekend on Sunday when downing Basingstoke Bison 5-3 at Planet Ice.

The win extended the club’s unbeaten National League run into its third week – that record hasn’t been achieved since Nell’s troops sparked their remarkable 15-game winning streak at the start of the calendar year.

The Cats’ 30-year-old player-coach isn’t naïve enough to presume his side’s next six games will be just as successful.

After all, this Saturday’s visitors to the Link Centre, London Raiders, upset the odds when beating Swindon 5-4 at the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre at the start of the month.

That defeat was the Wildcats’ last. And Nell praised his players’ energy and enthusiasm following their latest success.

He said: “The players are working really hard, and they have got the bit between their teeth at the moment.

“You can never feel comfortable at this level, because if we’re not at our best against Raiders and MK Lightning this weekend then we could lose twice.

“For us, it’s about pushing each week to try and get better.

“We were solid at Basingstoke on Sunday. The first period was back and forth – it was a great period of hockey that both sets of fans enjoyed.

“We were solid in the third period and closed the game out well, Edgars Bebris’ goal helped wrap up the points with a minute or so left.

“Basingstoke were good – they had no imports for the second and third period and their players worked really hard.

“Their top line on the night was strong, so we were happy to get two points on the road.”

Surprisingly, previously retired Max Birbraer and Jan Kostal have both played a key role in Wildcats’ six-game success story.

The pair both announced their retirements at the end of last season, but were promptly tempted out of it when it was confirmed star import Tyler VanKleef was set to miss the start of the season with a leg injury.

Nell added: “Max and Jan have both been great.

“Jan has played every game and has given us his all every night like he always does.

“Max has been in and out like we knew he would be, but when he has been with us he has been fantastic.

“He had another great weekend, and he will be playing this Saturday against Raiders.”