HAT-TRICK hero Alex Barker believes Bracknell Bees are more than capable of building on last weekend’s success, writes Dave Wright.

The brilliant Bees came from three goals down to draw 6-6 at Peterborough on Saturday before going on to win the penalty shoot-out 7-6.

And then on Sunday, Bees defeated local rivals Swindon Wildcats 5-4 at The Hive with Barker scoring three goals and setting up another.

It was only the second time this season the Bees have won two matches in succession and the first time they had achieved it over the same weekend.

For Barker, it was also his first treble of the season.

“I was obviously pleased to score a hat-trick, but the team getting two points was more important. It was good to get a four-point weekend, our first for a while,” said the 26-year-old forward. “Swindon made it tough, it was a close game and a match of power-play goals (Bees had three and Swindon two), so it was important to try to stay out of the box.

“But it was a good game, everyone chipped in and we deserved the two points.”

Bees have closed the gap on eighth-placed Sheffield to seven points to keep alive their play-off hopes, and will be aiming to maintain their winning run next weekend with a double date at Telford Tigers on Saturday (6pm) and home on Sunday (6pm).

“It’s going to be a tough and we need to play like we did last weekend,” commented Barker.

“We ran them close here (The Hive) once before and again up there as well.

“As long as we can keep them at bay, do our own jobs correctly and everyone pulls on the same rope, we should be fine.”