THE Widnes Wild ladies team put in a spirited performance but slumped to a 0-9 defeat at the hands of league leaders Sheffield Shadows at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The visitors opened the scoring with just 47 seconds gone on the clock and, having got that early boost, there was no stopping them. They doubled the advantage on 2 minutes and were 0-3 up on 5 minutes – and further goals late in the period saw Sheffield leading 0-5 at the first break.

The Wild women steadied the ship somewhat in the second period and put some good attacks together themselves but were unable to make the most of their chances. They managed to keep the Sheffield offence at bay for a good 13 minutes before the next goal went in on 33 minutes and this was followed up by another strike 90 seconds later and another 2 minutes after that.

Sheffield led 0-8 after two periods but, with their bench short on numbers, they began to lose steam in the final period – although their healthy lead by that time allowed them to ease off a bit.

The third period yielded just one goal – scored by Sheffield on 57 minutes and the game finished 0-9 to the visitors.

The Winifred Mabel Letts MVP awards – which have been sponsored this season by Wild Poet In Residence Lucy London in memory of the First World War poet and medic – went to Eleanor Cooper for Sheffield and Phoebe Patient for Widnes and were presented by match volunteer Lynda Bird.

The Widnes Ladies are next in action on Sunday 23 January when they travel to take on the Bristol Huskies at the new Planet Ice rink in Bristol – face off 5.30pm – and are next at home on Sunday 6 February, then they entertain the Chelmsford Cobras at Planet Ice Widnes – face off 4.15pm.