THE long journey is nearly over for the Gillingham-based ice hockey team Invicta Dynamos and the English National Premier League trophy is glittering on the horizon, just out of touch for the time-being.

But if the Dynamos do what is expected of them and what they are easily capable of, namely beating England under-19s on home ice this Sunday and Haringey away the following weekend, the title is theirs.

Sunday's game is of particular importance because of the double points available from the England game. Lose this and it will hand the title to Solihull who only have Haringey and Nottingham to play. Draw it and it will come down to the final game of the season when the Mos will have to travel to Romford and win.

However, defenseman Phil Chard is thinking only of a win and a convincing one at that. He said: "Although you never know who will be playing for England because players are released and called back to cover for their club teams we are expecting to win impressively.

"It would be a disaster if we don't as it would cost us the title, but I really can't see that happening. We have a fully fit squad and are looking forward to walking away with four points and another step closer to the title."

The idea behind the England sides at the beginning of the season was to give the young national sides practise week in week out against stronger club sides.

But with the English Ice Hockey Association only able to insist on ENPL sides releasing their star youngsters many who are at British National League clubs are not always being made available.

Dynamos team manager Andy Mason said: "If they put out their full strength squad they will be more than a match as they have some BNL players who would walk into any side in this league, players we would love to have.

"So this weekend is no foregone conclusion we still need our supporters to come down and play their part. The finishing line may be in sight but we still have a couple of hurdles to go and will be taking one game at a time."