RHYS HARDING scored a hat-trick to help Swindon Cubs to a 5-3 home win over Peterborough Junior Phantoms in their latest Under 10 South League match, writes DAVE EATON.

The victory was even sweeter for Swindon as it was worth double (four) points with Phantoms unable to stage a return and moved Cubs into fifth spot in the table just above the halfway mark.

Youngster Harding notched a straight hat-trick, scoring twice in the first period and once in the second.

It was in fact Cubs' first line, which included Harding, that created all the problems for the visitors and were involved in four of the five goals.

In under 10 years age group hockey each team must ice three different lines of five skaters and each of those lines must play for two-minute continuous spells in strict rotation.

This ensures that all the youngsters get an even amount of ice-time with development the underlying objective.

The Swindon first line struck towards the end of their opening shift as Harding converted a pass from Josh Price at 1.48 and went further ahead when Harding notched a second .

The home side outshot the visitors 15-9 in the first period and enjoyed a 26-6 shots tally in the second but the six goals netted were shared equally.

Phantoms reduced the lead at 27.45 to 2-1 and there was a flurry of goals in the final three minutes or so.

Harding completed his hat-trick at 36.42 before turning provider for line mate Oliver Stone at 37.06.

But Phantoms responded on the powerplay 52 seconds later to cut the gap to 4-2.

Within seven seconds of the last line change Swindon went 5-2 up at 38.07 through Samuel Bull assisted by Harry Gobey.

Phantoms had the last word as Alec Mickel grabbed a third for his team at 38.51.

MATCH DETAILS Cubs scorers: R Harding 3 goals + 1assist; Stone and Bull both 1+0; Price and Gobey both 0+1.

Period scores: 2-0; 3-3.

Shots on goal: Cubs 41; Phantoms 15.

Penalty minutes: Cubs 1; Phantoms 0.