The Vipers travelled to the North on Sunday to face a Whitley side that going on this season’s form had the potential to score but concede a number of goals. Bernie Bailey was the only member of the side to not dress, due to injury, but she travelled and coached for the trip. Despite a good warm-up by Vipers players, it was Whitley who took the early lead at 2 minutes 40 with a short-handed, good long-range shot. The lead was equalised 46 second later as some good forechecking work, followed by a centring pass, allowing Anna Cooper to score. Vipers went on to take the advantage as Whitleys indiscipline manifested, and scored on the power play with Julia Coughill and Laura Urquhart combining. The first period ended with a 3-1 lead to the Vipers.

The second period saw Whitley come out in all out attack, determined to bring the game level. An unfortunate migraine for star player Coughill, caused the lines to be reshuffled, and saw Urquhart playing up-front. Our newest rookie, Lucy Ebinger had her first ice-time for the Vipers and performed well up front, hassling the Whitley Players on the forecheck. The second period was to prove to be a 2-2 affair, with Rachel Brown surging forward from D to score on a delayed penalty.

Thankfully, due to the wonders of modern medicine, Julia’s migraine had ceased slightly, and she played the 3rd period. Two early goals in the third, by Helen Moss and Julia, giving Vipers a 4-goal lead, allowed Anna to rest her injured knee for the remainder of the game, as Lucy continued to play well. It also gave Anna the opportunity to laugh at coach Bernie, whose voice was starting to crack amidst the shouting of ‘Pick up a maaaaaan’! The score line continued to rise, despite a change of net minders for Whitley, as Rebecca Cooke (first goal of the season) and Michelle Peat scored.

Shots on goal were 32-23 in favour of the Vipers, and the final score 9-4. The coaches felt that it was a good performance by all in what is always a tricky rink in which to play. However, due to her hard work and a good first goal this season, man of the match went to the Cookie Monster!