NDHC League Match Reports: 6th January 2018

TeamDateOppositionH/ATimeScoreScorersPlayer of Match
L1s06/01/18Maidstone 1H14.002-1 (W)Emma Tabrett
Stacey Lee
Emma Tabrett
Sophie Thomas
L2s06/01/18Magpies 3A13.301-0 (L)Kiera Goymour
L3s06/01/18Dragons 5H12.157-0 (W)Hannah Ellis
Hazel Knights
Debs Smith x3
Harriet Marlee
Fiona Fletcher
Debs Smith
L4s06/01/18City 4H11.30P-P
L5s06/01/18Dragons 3A12.157-0 (L)Ginny Simkin
L6s06/01/18Herlings 1A14.00P-P
M1s06/01/18Cam Uni 3A10.30P-P
M2s06/01/18Dragons 3H15.004-1 (W)Jason Wolfe
Pedro Goss
Alex Browne
Eddie Gould
Pedro Goss
M3s06/01/18Dragons 2A15.004-1 (L)Jono Chaney-BaxterJohn Ives
M4s06/01/18Felixstowe 2H13.15P-P
M5s06/01/18Felixstowe 3A13.005-0 (CL)
M6s06/01/18Pelicans 4H15.450-5 (CL)James King
BD B06/01/18MagpiesH10.00P-P
GD06/01/18MagpiesH10.30P-P

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Women’s East Hockey League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Maidstone 1s:  2-1

After a Christmas break, prolonged by the wintry conditions before the holiday, the 1st team hosted Maidstone on Saturday, stronger in numbers and ready to take 3 points from a team that they should have beaten in the first half of the season.

The Norwich ladies quickly found their form and were starting to play some good hockey, passing the ball around nicely and maintaining possession.

Dragons looked like the dominant team and took control of the match with some slick passing around the back between player of the match Sophie Thomas, Sarah Jenkins, Holly Redding and Lou Murray. With Dragons moving to a formation of 3 up front, Murray managed to find space on the right wing and used it to her advantage, finding the forwards in space or driving forwards herself. The forward line of Hayley Toleman, Stacey Lee, Tabba and Katy Hands found space and drove at the D, skilfully winding their way past the defence, but the final pass or movement just wasn’t finding the target. Despite this, Dragons won several penalty corners in the first half and were pushing for the goal. Some quick thinking from Lara Taylor outside the D led to a penalty corner being awarded just on the stroke of half time, and the dragons surrounded the D, eager to convert the pressure of the first half. A fabulous drag flick from Tabba found the back of the goal with ease and Dragons went into the second half 1-0 up. The goal and her energy throughout the game earned Tabba the joint player of the match award.

Dragons dominated the second half and wave upon wave of attack peppered the Maidstone D, with excellent linking play from Liv Thomas, Lucy Ripman and Marie James, who all fought hard throughout the game. 15 minutes in to the second half, Sophie Thomas found herself in space on the left-hand side. She passed to Liv Thomas who skilfully passed her opponent and found Hayley Toleman who was alongside Stacey Lee in a 2 on 1 situation. Toleman drew the defender and slipped the ball forwards to Lee who, with trademark flair, slotted it past the keeper: A fantastic team goal made to look simple by the Dragons.

In the 20 minutes that remained, Maidstone counter attacked and were awarded a penalty corner which they converted. Whilst the Norwich ladies held their nerve and played well throughout, if it weren’t for a commanding performance from Cleeve in goal, the opposition may well have equalised. At the final whistle, it was 2-1 to Norwich Dragons and a well deserved 3 points.

 

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Women’s East Hockey League, Division 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v Magpies 3s:  0-1

Norwich Dragons Ladies 2’s traveled to Harleston excited to be back playing Hockey after the Christmas break. Unfortunately due to various injuries and illnesses the 2’s were missing several of their usual squad, so had to travel with a bare 12, not ideal for a game straight after the Christmas break! However this did give the 2’s the chance to welcome Ismay Whitaker into the squad for her well earned 2nd team debut and also see the return of Lauren Lawrie and Luisa Valentini. The squad were also pleased to welcome back Maddy Reynolds who has been missing from the team due to Glandular Fever.

The main message to the Dragons was to work hard and be confident and to stick to their game plan. Dragons had a great warm up, even winning the toss, which was reflected in how well the 2’s started the game.

From the start of the first half the Dragons moved the ball around well and had the majority of the possession. Captain Karen O’Neill-Simpson in CD was flanked either side by teenagers Ismay Whitaker and Carmel Windsor Waite. Both girls showed great understanding of positional play and composure beyond their years. As a unit they were not greatly troubled and dealt with any attack calmly. On the odd occasion when Magpies did manage to get a shot on target it was easily dealt with by keeper Luisa Valentini.

In front of the defence the midfield of Shelly Seaman, Debs Painter, Kiera Goymour and Gail Thomas were working like Trojans,definitely winning the battle in the middle of the pitch. Their work rate was second to none and they both helped protect the defence and aid the forwards. The Dragons saw several powerful runs down the right side of the pitch, by POM Kiera Goymour, leading to a few near chances. Unfortunately even though Dragons had the majority of play in the first half the score at half time was 0-0.

Magpies started the second half strongly and put Dragons defence under far more pressure than they had in the first half, attacking in numbers. Unfortunately 15 minutes into the second half there was a missed tackle and the defence were too slow at closing down the danger player and Magpies went a goal up.

From this point Dragons switched on again and looked the most likely side to score. The 2’s pressed forward as a unit and we saw several great runs by the forwards, Maddy Reynolds, Lauren Lawrie, Kate McKenna and Lucy Morton. Through their hard work we got the ball into the D on several occasions but just couldn’t get the ball in the goal. As the clock ran down Dragons managed to win several short corners but the Magpies defence were on good form and managed to block the shots well and the game finished 1-0 to Magpies.

Even though Dragons lost their first game back it was a great team effort and the positives far outweighed any negatives. At the start of the game Captain Karen asked the team to give it their all and not leave anything in reserve and pleasingly the whole team undoubtedly did this. Dragons 2’s would also like to thank Ollie King for running the sideline for them and making several good pointers that the team can continue to work on.

With the great mix of youth and experience that this team now has, along with their great attitude, the future is bright for the 2’s, who are already looking forward to their next game away at City.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Dragons Ladies 5s:  7-0

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Norwich City 4s:  P-P

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v Dragons Ladies 3s:  0-7

After an icy start to the day the pitch eventually thawed sufficiently for the match to proceed. Following a thorough warm up we were ready to start.  Dragons 3s came out strong, scoring after just a few minutes, they continued the pressure through to half time scoring 4 goals in total, three of which came from short corner routines.

Our opposition were awarded numerous short corners scoring a further 3 goals early in the second half.  We then held our own, pressing well and kept them at bay until the final whistle. Final Score 0-7.

There was some excellent play in all areas of the pitch, superb runs by the forwards, tireless work in midfield and the defence battled well in open play.  We played a good passing game working the ball up the pitch.  We kept focused throughout the match and worked as a team to mitigate advances by their key players.  A well spirited game between two Dragons teams.  Player of match was Ginny Simkin for her solid performance in central defence.

Thanks to Sarah and Anita for there valuable advice and support from the sideline.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Herlings 1s:  P-P

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s  – no fixture

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Empress Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3
Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s  – no fixture

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Cambridge Uni 3s:  P-P

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v Dragons Men’s 3s:  4-1

A crisp winter’s afternoon set the scene for another dogged intramural encounter of Dragons. Marvel and DC universes collided with a standoff between Captain Moulsica and Jon ‘Superman’ Ives eagerly awaiting the toss. As they looked tenaciously at each other, the fateful coin fell end over end before gracing the plush Den surface; sticks gripped tighter in anticipation, a serene smile started to cross Captain Moulsica’s face as the Avengers had won the initial battle and selected to push back.

With the clocks striking fifteen hundred hours, the intergalactic battle commenced. The Avengers resuming their natural flowing style of play with ‘IronGill’ inventing and invigorating their play. Sharp passing and movement to run off the festive gluttony of the previous month. Soon enough, the ‘Wolverine’ Al Brown started inflicting his efforts towards goal with venom. Chances became frequent, as the Avengers grew with confidence. After another Wolverine onslaught, Spider’Wolfe’Man sprang into action at the Justice League goalmouth to convert a short corner from close quarters. The Avengers’ celebrations were cut short as the Justice League immediately returned with a coolly taken goal from a routine short corner, the Green Arrow ‘Jono Chaney Baxter’ with some trickery beating the Avengers backline before slotting to even the scores at Half Time.

As the floodlights now shone brightly over the battleground, the Avengers came out in the second half with pomp and purpose. Knowing there persistence would pay off, they continued the high tempo press to cause further problems at the Justice League’s gate. Pedro ‘Quicksilver’ Goss unrelenting runs allowed further pressure on the Justice League Goal, himself eventually managing a deft touch from an IronGill drive into the D making the score 2-1. The Wolverine was next to strike, managing a frontal squeeze shot that looped over the Justice League keeper at full stretch. Finally, Eddie ‘Deadpool’ Gould finished the contest with a reaction strike late on leaving the Justice League defeated. The Justice League Fought valiantly to the death however, the Avengers proved too much for them on this encounter finishing the war 4 – 1.

Quicksilver awarded MoM for the Avengers for his impressive display.

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Dragons Men’s 2s:  1-4

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Men’s East Hockey League Division 4NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Felixstowe 2s:  P-P

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Felixstowe 3s:  0-5 (CL)

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 6NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v Pelicans 4s:  0-4 (0-5 CL)

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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Boys A v P-P

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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Boys B v  P-P

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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Girls v  P-P

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