East Women’s Hockey League Division 2 North East
Norwich Dragons 1s 3:0 Panthers

Finally the last match of the season and one that could not be more crucial. As a result of the Dragons hard work all year they had put themselves in a position where a win would crown the league Champions.

On a lovely sunny day the Dragons welcomed the Panthers to the Den determined to learn from recent experiences and not take anything for granted. There was strong support for the home team and a few travelling away supporters and with the sun shining the day was set for an enjoyable game.

The Dragons controlled the game from the start enjoying the majority of the possession and playing some attractive hockey but there was an understandable nervousness to their game as they were eager to get an early goal. The Panthers defended in numbers and made it difficult for the Dragons to break them down. Having a number of penalty corners awarded the Dragons could not unlock the Panthers defence.  Finally after 20 minutes the deadlock was broken. A short corner routine that broke down fell to Gail THOMAS who passed to the Dragons captain, Marie JAMES, who fired the ball into the goal at close range. The Dragons continued to push forwards but despite the amount of possession and efforts on goal the Panthers defence held them at bay.  At 1-0 the Panthers were awarded a penalty corner and Zoe GOTTS had a superb effort saved by the excellence of the young DRAGONS keeper Freddie BRISCOE. This was a significant point in the match and was a crucial save to keep the Dragons noses in front. The Dragons got their second just before the break. Another penalty corner and this time it was struck at the top of the D with venom by JAMES leaving the keeper no chance.

The second half the Dragons gave a very controlled performance determined not to let their title hopes slip away. The Panthers worked relentlessly finding themselves pinned into their 25 yard area for long periods of the match but were not going to give the game up without a fight and the Dragons had to wait for the third goal until  deep into the second half.  JAMES finding herself in space in the centre of the pitch drove the ball towards the Panthers defence before slipping it into the path of Laura SHREEVE who timed her run beautifully and as the Panthers keeper came out to close her down she struck the ball early from the top of the D which nestled in the corner of the goal.

This was mature performance from the Dragons who played an excellent passing game and showed patience waiting for their opportunities when up against a Panthers team who rarely threatened the Dragons goal but were solid in defence and worked tirelessly to stop the league leaders.

The final whistle was welcomed and the Championship secured. Some excellent performances in the Dragons team in particular Emma TABRETT on the forward line who worked hard throughout showing maturity and composure on the ball, Angela MURGATROYD who held strong in defence stepping up and continually stopping the attacks that came down the right and also Player of the Match  Marie JAMES.

I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the team to thank our coach Pete THOMAS for his commitment and dedication. Our performances have improved significantly throughout the season and it is without doubt as a result of Pete’s guidance and input. His mere presence on the side lines always has a positive impact on us. Thank you Pete.

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East Women’s Hockey League Division 2 North East
Norwich Dragons 2s: No Fixture.

Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 1
Norwich Dragons 3s 3:0 Yarmouth 2

With a hard weekend of back to back hockey ahead of them, the Dragon’s Ladies 3rd XI looked the stronger side from the off. In brilliant sunshine, something of a novelty this season, Dragons took control with excellent passing moves, displaying textbook hockey. It was not long into the game when Dragons won a short corner, which was converted swiftly on the first strike by Caroline Wolfe.

The second came after a string of fluid passes, with Olivia Thomas and Amy Brown working well together. Brown, player of the match, scored with a sweep past the Yarmouth keeper.

The third came for Dragons shortly before half time where, after a goal mouth melee, Mel Widdows tapped the ball home on the far post.

The second half saw Yarmouth have their opportunities in the Dragons’ D, but were held out by solid defending. Dragons were also denied any second half goals despite winning several short corners; a very physical game in hot conditions ending at 3-0 to Dragons.

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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 1
Norwich Dragons 3s 2:0 UEA 3

Having played 21, won 21, this final game for Norwich Dragon’s Ladies’ 3s saw some changing room nerves. The Championship already secured, Dragons were playing to make it the perfect season.

Just four weeks earlier this fixture had been abandoned due to snow. This time, temperatures of 18C and a strong wind were to make the playing conditions tough.

With a very different line up on show, UEA had much of the possession in the first ten minutes, and what play Dragon’s did have was mainly in the UEA half of the pitch.

Dragon’s soaked up pressure and started to come back with several attacking moves. The first short corners of the game were awarded to Dragons, but a quick defence off the UEA line denied Dragons any goal. Within minutes, the same was happening at the other end of the pitch with Dragon’s Hazel Medler running to the striker, preventing any clean shots for UEA.

A rousing half time talk by coach Pete Thomas raised the spirits of the Dragons, who in the second half started to dominate the play.  Dragon’s player of the match Tammy St John chased down and beat the UEA players to the ball all over the pitch it seemed, and it was from one of her interceptions that Dragons made a break and won a short corner. Dragons converted when a strike from Caroline Wolfe found Mel Widdows on the far post; a simple but lightning quick deflection for Widdows secured the goal.

The second goal came for Dragons when Pollyanna Watson found Amy Brown at the top of the D who, with perfect composure, swept the ball past the keeper.

Celebration shouts rang out over the UEA pitch as the full time whistle blew. Dragons finish the league table with a maximum 66 points, and head to the Marshall Motors Norfolk Premier Division next season.

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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 4s 4:1 Magpies 6

With Magpies constantly on our heels throughout the season the final match between the two teams being promoted was always going to be a challenge. Magpies came out strong from the start, putting pressure on the defense and midfield from the first whistle, applying all the tactics on us that we have so successfully used on others this year. They surrounded the ball, man marked and used the space and this made us lose our composure for the first 10 minutes. Magpies took advantage of this and scored the first goal, an excellent shot from the edge of the D that just rocketed past the defense.  As usual this first goal against us only inspired the Dragons to fight back and we soon had the majority of the play back on our terms. The ball remained in the magpies half for the rest of the half. The first goal came from Sue Cross who was perfectly positioned for a quick pass from a short corner – she struck with strength and precision the ball producing a rather satisfying thump as it hit the backboard. While dragons had other chances during the first half the score remained 1:1 as the half time whistle blew.

After the break Dragons seemed to find their momentum a bit more with Felicia Roberts, Lynne Price and Freya Clogan pushing play up the left through the use of well-placed passes – this allowed the forwards to move into position. Scarlett Brown, Lucy Campbell and Laura Goodbun all made some excellent attempts on goal only to be thwarted by a solid Magpies defense. Debbie Santa Clara (PoM) scored her first goal from a lovely push from the top of the D, this was slotted with force passed the keeper. Shortly after Gemma Rump made an excellent run down the right passing the ball into the D for a perfectly positioned shot from Lynne, however a Magpies foot stopped the ball on the line – a penalty flick was awarded and Debbie bravely stepped up to the penalty spot – the ball was expertly positioned into the corner leaving the keeper with an impossible save.

While Magpies continued to fight back, the majority of breaks were stopped by solid team work from the midfield and defense, Laura Bruce and Megan Harvey worked hard on the right with Gemma and Lynne determined to push the ball back up at every opportunity. As the whistle for the end of the game blew Dragons had just been awarded a short corner and with everyone coming back to help even I positioned myself at the top of the D.  As the ball was pushed out by Debbie I raced to the post as I had seen the forwards do so many times before, and while the ball was pushed wide, it was slipped to the other post allowing Debbie to clinch her forth hat-trick of the season with a lovely lobbed ball that went over the keeper’s head hitting the backboard as it fell – sealing a solid victory.

Photos from this match here