May 1st 1999, Women's League Division One - South
The opening face-off of this game was delayed as rink staff tried to resolve a severely overwatered ice surface. Following the warm-up - with the ice still not in a good state it was agreed to play the first period as two ten minute half periods, with the teams swapping ends halfway through.
The first ten minutes saw all the pressure on the Cobras' net, as Cardiff amassed 8 shots to Chelmsford's total of 0, but they only had one goal to show for it. As the teams swapped ends, Cobras' were on the powerplay, and it only took 41 seconds for Katy Allen to tie the scores with Chelmsford's first shot on goal.
The remainder of the period was more balanced, but both netminders were able to repel all comers - although Chelmsford had more than a little assistance from the posts.
The remainder of the game was played as two fifteen minute periods, and there had been no more scoring, when Chelmsford got a four minute powerplay, after Rachel Kearn had to be helped off the ice, but they were unable to convert the advantage. The best chance actually fell to Cardiff's Lorraine McMullen, who's shorthanded breakaway attempt again clanged off the post. Shortly after returning to full strength, Cardiff capitalised, and this time Lorraine McMullen was able to score to give the Comets a 2-1 lead going into the second interval.
The third period saw the Cobras keen to get back on level terms, but their best attempts were thwarted. Five minutes into the period, and Elaine Whitney and player of the game Katherine Bryce scored two quick goals, to open the gap to three, and when Lorraine McMullen slotted away their fifth the game was effectively over. Cobras' had one final chance to score, when Katy Allen had a breakaway stopped on the powerplay in the last minute of the game.
Cobras' player of the game award was given to the whole team, as the final shots on goal were Cardiff 34, Chelmsford 10. Cobras finish the season in 5th place - behind Oxford City because the two games between the teams saw Chelmsford win 3-2 and lose 4-2, for an overall aggregate of 6-5 for Oxford City.
GP W T L F A Pt
Cardiff 12 12 0 0 98 14 24
Romford 12 8 1 3 59 18 17
Streatham 12 8 1 3 62 37 17
Oxford City 12 5 1 6 39 35 11
Chelmsford 12 5 1 6 52 45 11
Invicta 12 2 0 10 34 69 4
Oxford Uni 12 0 0 12 12 138 0
This was the final game of the Cobras' season - but there will still be a regular diet of hockey throughout the summer as the Chelmsford Nighthawks recreational team have regular games, on most Saturdays from 29th May, with the games starting at 5:15pm at Riverside, supporters will be very welcome. The first opponents are Nottingham NorthStars.Scoring:
Chelmsford: Katy Allen 1+0(0), Emma Stott 0+0(2), Rachel Kearn 0+0(2)
Cardiff: Katherine Bryce 2+0(0), Lorraine McMullen 2+0(0), Elaine Whitney 1+0(2), Laura Burns 0+1(0), Helen Wilson 0+1(2), Becci Hargreaves 0+0(2), Nichola Janik 0+0(2), Sarah Audsley 0+0(4)