Sunday 26th October – Challenge Match: Connah’s Quay Cobras 8 – Riverside Raiders 2
The Connah’s Quay Cobras put in a superb performance to beat local Widnes-based rivals Riverside Raiders 8-2 in a challenge match at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.
The two teams had previously met back in April in what had been the fledgling Cobras team’s first ever game - with the Raiders winning 4-8 - but this game saw the Cobras very much in control from the outset and they outshot the visitors by 55 to 19 over the course of the 60 minutes.
The Cobras took the lead with a 3rd minute goal from Martin Rybka. A second goal from the same player on 12 minutes and a strike from Sam Krempasky on 15 minutes saw the home side leading 3-0 at the first period break.
The Cobras edged further ahead with a hat-trick goal from Rybka on 23 minutes and there followed a tense goal-less spell before the Raiders finally managed to break their duck with a strike on 35 minutes. However, Ken Valyear restored the 4-goal cushion with just 31 seconds left on the clock to give the Cobras a healthy 5-1 lead at the second interval.
The Raiders scored their second, and final, goal of the game on 52 minutes but the Cobras hit back with three unanswered goals - from Rybka again, and two from Kieran Clarkson - to round off a comprehensive victory.
After the game, Cobras’ coach Emma Dutton said:
“I am really proud of everyone - we really worked as a team throughout a very physical and fast paced game littered with penalties. We had good chunks of the game where we had total possession and moved the puck around to create those scoring opportunities. I am looking forward to continuing this level of play in the upcoming Summer Classic series."
