East League Division 2 North
Norwich Dragons 1s 2:2 UEA 1
On a sunny day at the UEA, Dragons started uncharacteristically slowly in comparison to previous games this season. UEA were managing to get hold of a lot of the ball and dictate play against a disorganised Dragons side. Two quick turn over balls and poor marking gave the UEA two quick goals. Dragons kept their heads and pulled a goal back from a fantastically worked short corner, which Alex Browne dispatched into the bottom corner for yet another goal this season.
After half time Dragons upped their work rate and pulled level thanks to some excellent running from Alex Browne at the byline to pull the ball back to former UEA player Matt Knights, to score against his old club.
From this point on the urgency was with Dragons as they looked for the winner. Many chances were unfortunately not taken to leave each team with a point a piece.
Man of the match – Sam Parmenter
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Mens East League Division 4 North East
Norwich Dragons 2s: No Fixture
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East Men’s Hockey League Division 5NE
Norwich Dragons 3s: No Fixture
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East Men’s Hockey League Division 6 North East
Norwich Dragons 4s: No Fixture
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East Women’s Hockey League Division 2 North East
Norwich Dragons 1s: 3:0 Norwich Dragons 2s
Dragons 2s started brightly, moving the ball well down the right hand side through Niamh Lowe-Davis and Ally Windsor-Waite. The 1s held firm however, and got themselves into the game, through their playmakers in the middle, Emily Rolls and Marie James. This pressure paid off with a goal following good work from Laura Shreeve, resulting in Nat Beal lifting the ball smartly into the goal.
The remainder of the half saw some flowing hockey from both teams, with Dragon’s 2s player of the match Ruth Willmott, having an excellent game snuffing out many attacks and Angela Murgatroyd making a number of vital tackles to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
The start of the second half saw the 2s coming out strongly and dominating the first 10 minutes of the half with some strong forward play from Caroline Wolfe which resulted in a couple of chances, which were either not taken or smartly saved by Freddie Briscoe.
As the half progressed, the 1s started to make their experience count, moving the ball neatly around the pitch and creating a number of chances. Captain and Player of the Match, Marie James was instrumental in the middle for the 1s, and had a hand in their 2nd goal, which was put away by Laura Shreeve. A third goal came towards the end of the game, an individual effort by Laura Shreeve, slotting in her 20th goal of the season.
Both teams can come out of this game with a lot of credit – the 2nd team held their own against a stronger team for much of the game and should be proud of how far they have developed, particularly players such as Ruth Willmott, Niamh Lowe-Davis and Alice Guest, whose performances have just got better and better. The 1st Team showed what a strong, clinical team they can be in front of goal, and they fully deserve to be sitting proudly at the top of Div 2NE going into 2013.
Good times for the Ladies Dragon’s Teams and much to look forward to in the New Year.
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East Women’s Hockey League Division 2 North East
Norwich Dragons 2s 0:3 Norwich Dragons 1s
See above for joint report
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 1
Norwich Dragons 3s: No Fixture
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 5s 6:0 Lowestoft Railway 2
Breaking with tradition this week Dragons decided that they would like to score the first goal of the game! It was a lovely little deflection behind the keeper from Annika Richardson who was perfectly placed on the left post. Such was our determination to keep a clean sheet in the first 10 minutes of the game we felt we should probably score another goal in order to keep it away from our end so Marcy Windsor Waite obliged with an excellent flick which completely bypassed defense and keeper alike.
As a captain it is really easy to focus on the areas for improvement, the next thing to develop and what can be tweaked to make a stronger team, but this week was an excellent chance to reflect on just how far we have come as a team this season. The first 35 minutes all went Dragons way with the ball rarely leaving Lowestoft’s half, the space was used, passes were effectively made and players moved the ball with as much pace as the pitch would allow. There were also two more fantastic goals – a fantastic shot from the post by Lucy Campbell and a perfectly placed strike from Catherine Bourassa.
During the second half Lowestoft came back determined to change the direction of play and had more attempts on goal, there was an excellent lifted shot, which was expertly smacked down by keeper Morag Morrison and a couple of short corners that required quick clearances. This turn in play meant that Laura Bruce (player of the match) and Freya Clogan saw a lot more of the ball, but they dealt with the opposition quickly and efficiently giving the Dragons the advantage again. The fifth goal came from Debbie Santa Clara after some excellent team work from the midfield and forwards. The final goal we have Lowestoft to thank, as they placed it behind their own keeper after Scarlett Browns shot hit a defensive stick.
An excellent way to finish for the Christmas break – have a good rest and see you in the New Year.
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 5s: No Fixture
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Boys Development League
Norwich Dragons 0:4 Norwich City
We started off brightly with some good passing in the midfield. City got 2 quick goals early on in the half one from a well worked short corner routine. We came back strong, with our forwards applying good pressure on their defence. We were unlucky not to get a goal, denied by a good save. They got another goal before half time to make it 0-3.
In the second half we were able to push on because of some strong defending, especially from Mark Savill. City’s midfield and defence denied us getting more shots on goal. They got one more goal in a scramble in the D. Once again Norwich City keeper stopped us from scoring from a couple of short corners. Final score 0-4.
Thanks to all the adults who helped.
Man of the match Ben Watson
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Girls Development League
Norwich Dragons 0:4 Magpies
Captain: Tamsen Billings
Player of the match and why: Aoife, she made some good tackles, and she made some good runs with the ball and made some good efforts to try and score.
Coaches: Natalie Beal
Playing adults: Natalie Beal, Olivia Thomas, Sophie Thomas
3 Memorable moments:
- Dragons having four short corners in a row
- some really good hockey skills shown by all players, one of the best games of the season
- nice tackles made by Jess and constant pressure from her on the opposition
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The hoof table this week is as follows:
| Position | Team | Hoof Average |
| 1 | Ladies 3s | 4.54 |
| 2 | Ladies 4s | 4.33 |
| 3 | Ladies 1s | 4.31 |
| 4 | Mens 2s | 3.93 |
| 5 | Mens 3s | 3.85 |
| 6 | Mens 4s | 2.79 |
| 7 | Mens 1s | 2.15 |
| 8 | Ladies 2s | 2.00 |
| 9 | Ladies 5s | 1.92 |
| 10 | Girls Development | 1.57 |
| 11 | Boys Development | 1.38 |