THE WELLA Bison Ladies kept alive their championship hopes with an impressive 7-2 victory over Chelmsford Cobras in Essex.

The first goal, after 57 seconds, was slotted home by fast-skating Chrissie Newman after a pass from Lucy Barfoot. The second goal followed just 17 seconds later, when Julie Saint passed back to defender Caroline Kelly, waiting just inside the blue line, and her fine slap-shot made it 2-0.

Chelmsford hit back but Bison netminder Clare Millard answered with some spectacular saves.

Most valuable player Saint added goal number three in the 12th minute, assisted by Lynsey Crame. In the dying seconds of the period, the Bison defence allowed Chelmsford's Jen Stedman to score.

The second period saw honours equal, with determined Chelmsford trying to find a way past in-form Millard, who plucked from the air a fine slap-shot to deny them their best chance.

At the other end, Saint scored from Newman and then assisted Cheryl Ross, who slotted home a fine goal from just outside the crease.

The final period saw the game dominated by the Saint-Ross combination after a nasty fall ruled out Newman with a twisted knee.

Twice, quick-thinking Ross pounced on loose pucks after shots from Crame and Saint were desperately blocked in front of goal to complete her hat-trick.

Earlier, the Bison lost their 100 per cent record to the visiting Solihull Vixens in a hard-fought 3-2 defeat. Wearing their new home shirts provided by sponsors Wella UK, the Bison held their own until the Vixens scored on a powerplay.

The home side counter-attacked and a great pass from Crame to Barfoot saw them draw level after 11 minutes.

An early powerplay goal in the second period gave the Vixens the lead and only solid net-minding from Clare Millard kept the home side in the match.

Saint battled her way through the Solihull defence and sent a fine pass to Ross, who slotted home to end her recent goal drought.

The Bison clocked up a first when Shelley Rounding joined daughter Keri Van Etteryk on the bench for the game.

Harry Robinson, on behalf of Wella UK, presented the most valued player awards to Deborah Warwick of the Vixens and Natalie West of the Bison. A bouquet was presented to Elaine Driver, the Bison captain's mother, who had sewn names on to the new shirts.