AFTER a three-week break the Basingstoke Buffalo crashed back into action with an impressive 8-3 victory on the road at the Streatham Blackhawks, writes Graham Merry.

The opening session finished level at 2-2, before the Buffs won the middle session 3-1 to take a 5-3 advantage into the final 20 minutes.

The Herd then added three more goals without reply, to win the contest 8-3 and complete a league double over their London rivals.

The Buffalo man of the match against Streatham was Roman Cathcart.

After the game one of the Buffalo player coaches Paul Petts said: “In the first period we did not play as well as we can, but we got better as the contest went on.”

“It was always going to be difficult after a long break, but we are now looking to keep playing a well drilled game as we head to the play-offs.”

The victory keeps the Buffalo in fifth place in the Wilkinson Division, but they could still finish third in the standings.

This would happen if Peterborough drop a point from their final two games and the Herd win all their remaining fixtures.

They will look to keep up the pressure on Peterborough this Saturday, when they travel to Chelmsford, before their final league game which is away to Lee Valley.

The Buffalo’s play-off quarter-finals clash which is a home and away affair will take place on the last weekend of March.