Lions thrash Bristol (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Lee Valley Lions enjoy comprehensive victory over Bristol Pitbulls

11:04am Monday 13th February 2012 in Sport

While the elements once again frustrated much of the sporting schedule, conditions were not an issue for Lee Valley Lions who roared their way to a 12-1 thrashing of Bristol Pitbulls.

The visitors trailed the Lions by just one place in the league table and so a close contest was thought to be on the cards but a rampant display from the hosts gave them a comfortable victory.

Ahead of the game, the Canadian National Anthem was played in honour of the hosts’ departing coach and captain Blair Dubyk who played his final game for the Lions before returning home.

Dubyk would go on to make his mark in the contest but it was Scott Beeson who put Lee Valley in front in the first period, with the assist coming from Richard Hodge and James Scott-Joseph, after the Lions had already been called up twice by the referee for having too many men on the ice.

Bristol were still in the contest at this point but were unable to find the net as they trailed by one at the end of the first period.

It was an altogether different contest after the break though as the home side put in an unforgiving performance to put some breathing space between the teams.

Olly Shone beat Ruth Cattell midway through the second period to get the Pitbulls on the scoreboard but the Lions ran in six goals themselves.

Gary Dodds and Richard Hodge netted unassisted efforts while there was a surprise strike from Phil Carson – a moment which proved particularly popular with his team-mates.

Despite their six-goal lead, Lee Valley refused to let up on their visitors and ran in five unanswered efforts to conclude the scoring, with Dubyk signing off in style with two strikes.