Vipers' early-season focus is on development and forming combinations but the side does still have the chance to cement their status as title contenders over the next three weeks of the new Western Women's Rugby League competition.
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After a convincing, first-up win over Panorama last week the Vipers travel to face the Castlereagh Cougers on Saturday then Mudgee the following weekend, before a short turnaround to a bumper, round four clash against the powerhouse Goannas on Wednesday, October 30.
The latter will be played as a curtain-raiser for the Western Rams' exhibition showdown against the touring French side and the Vipers will be gunning to go into that clash undefeated and brimming with confidence.
A big boost to that goal is the expected return of stars Bec Ford and Kaitlyn Phillips, who both missed the side's 36-point trouncing of the Bathurst-based Platypi last weekend.
"It's a big trip to Baradine so hopefully we can handle that, the Goannas beat Castlereagh [in round one] but I'm sure they'll be tough anyway," Vipers coach Marty Lyden said in preparation for his side's four-hour trip up the Newell Highway.
"The only expectation we've got is to improve each week. It'll be good for the girls to play before the Western-France game, you don't get that opportunity often.
"Being a Wednesday night it might be a bit tough but we've got time, so hopefully everyone can sort themselves to make sure we're full strength because that Goannas side look pretty good, they're defending premiers."
Vipers face Castlereagh at Baradine Sportsground from 1pm, while the club's under-13, under-15 and under-18 sides all making the trip to face the Cougars too. The lead-up games start at 10am.
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