The vipers climbed back to winning ways after two disappointing losses, with a huge win over Blackburn at the NIC. Despite Blackburn being at the wrong end of the D1 North Table, the pressure was on the Vipers to solidify their place in the league standings. Thankfully, the rousing team talk delivered by coach JS in the changing room had the desired effect. Nottingham came out to a flying start and were 3-0 up with less than 5 minutes gone on the clock. They were so quick to score, that these three goals were missed by the reporter of this matchreport who was still queuing for tickets for the game at the box office. The opening goal was apparantly scored by Cookie, who is continuing on her blazing form, and just doens't seem to be able to stop racking up the points. The first period ended with vipers comfortably 4-0 up, and had set the bench mark for the game.

Vipers maintained the pressure throughout the 2nd, with the defence holding so solid that Blackburn's chances were few and far between. Vipers hard work continued in the same vein, putting another 3 goals on the score board courtesy of some great team work, and her first ever goal for the Vipers from Citoooooooooh! The defense had yet another goal, when Helen Moss seemed to get lost up front a did a little tour of the the entire Blackburn zone, before finally deciding to put the puck in the back of the net to truly put the game out of reach.

Coach JS had demanded at least 5 goals from the third, and fearing another changing room 'chat', Vipers got on the case. As the third started, the goals kept coming (Bernie Hirsh scoring her first ever Viper's goal, Frenchy and Hannah both getting their hat-tricks), and despite the Vipers having to kill a 5-3 advantage to Blackburn, with Kerry getting her first ever penalty, which although she may have been disappointed about, showed JS that this promising player is a player of his own heart! There are good things to come from this girl! The Vipers' penalty kill lines looked confident and assured, whilst any chances that did get through were ably delt with by Maya in net, as she strove towards her second shut-out of the season, to leave the final score as 14-0 in favour of the home team.

Coach JS, had cheered up. With a few Vipers getting their first ever points, goals, penalty minutes and a well deserved shut-out earned, not to mention the captain breaking out of her goal scoring drought, the game was more than just a blow-out of a weaker team, and should hopefully give the Vipers plenty of positives to take forward into their forthcoming away games and the 2nd half of the season…and maybe even keep some of those rabid fans posting on the Snake Pit forum happy for a week or two!