OXFORD City Stars had the perfect warm-up to the forthcoming play-offs as they thumped Division 1 South champions Invicta Dynamos 6-2 at Oxpens Road on Saturday.

Unfortunately, they were unable to follow this up with victory in their final match of the regular season against Streatham Redskins on Sunday, which they lost 6-5, but they go into the play-offs in good shape nonetheless.

Against Invicta, Stars were without Darren Elliott, Nick Eden and Nick Oliver, but it was a keenly-contested en-counter.

Former Dynamo Ken Forshee put Stars in front in the third minute, and he doubled their lead with his second goal midway through the first period.

Peter Vaisanen reduced the arrears just before the end of the period.

An Alan Green brace in the second period, plus an Andy Cox strike put Stars in control, although Jack Tarczycki pulled one back for Invicta.

With Stars leading 5-2, the result looked secure, and they made sure in the last period as Joe Edwards scored on a powerplay.

Oxford were still missing Elliott, Eden and Oliver for Sunday’s match with Streat-ham.

And the visitors took a 3-0 lead through Liam Rasmussen (2) and Remy Boprey.

The Londoners extended their lead in the second period through former Star Kent Johnson.

In the third period, goals from Grant Bailey, Andrew Shurmer, Forshee, Shannon Taylor and Dean Francis brought Stars back into the contest.

But Streatham secured victory with goals from Louis Lockwood and Gennadi Yufit.

Stars now head into the play-offs, with a double-header against Bracknell Hornets this weekend.

They host Hornets on Saturday, with a 5pm face-off, and travel to the Berkshire outfit on Sunday.

They will then face two games against table-topping Invicta Dynamos on April 4 and April 11.

The winner of each group in the play-offs will play each other in a two-legged final on dates to be arranged.

Play-off Group A: Invicta Dynamos, Bracknell Hornets, Oxford City Stars.

Group B: Cardiff Devils, Chelmsford Cheiftains, Wightlink Raiders.