On 20^th April 2013, the Dragons’ under 12 boys team took part in the regional round of the club mini competition.  The competition was held at Harleston and saw two teams from each of the five Counties that make up the East Region take part.  Norwich City and Norwich Dragons represented Norfolk.

This was a first for the club: having a junior team progress to a regional round of a competition.  A significant moment in the history of Norwich Dragons Hockey Club.

There were 2 leagues of five teams who played each other.  The equivalent placed teams in each league then took part in the play offs to rank all the teams, with the top two going through to the national round.

The squad:
Ben Nkrumah (GK)
Edward Murphy
Luke Byrne
Harry Cullens
George Wright
Ollie Shippam
Raunaq Rai
Pedro Goss
Jono Chaney Baxter
Tom Bailon

Non travelling reserves were:
Harry Williams
Jaquan Moore
Dani Long Martinez

Managers:
Ali Smyth
Natalie Beal

Ad hoc medical cover:
Pat Goss (see later)

Match 1
Norwich Dragons 1 Cambridge City 1
The boys dominated this game, although were slow to start; no doubt there was an element of gauging what the tournament will be about as well as getting used to playing against opposition never played before.  The boys’ impressive passing game shone through on occasion.  Tom Bailon made some attacking runs down the right wing.  George Wright controlled the defence well showing some great confidence on the ball.  Dragons scored first when Tom’s skillful run down the right and pull back to the middle of the D saw Pedro Goss score neatly through the keeper’s legs.  A momentary lapse of concentration in defence allowed Cambridge to score a powerful near post goal however.  Final score 1-1.

Match 2
Norwich Dragons 0 Blue Hornets 2
Possession and territory statistics would have shown both teams more or less equal, although Blue Hornets may have edged it.  Dragons certainly had their chances to score.  But the turning point of the game came with the awarding of a controversial penalty flick.  The first strike from a short corner hit George on the line.  George subsequently came off injured as the ball hit his thumb at chest height, yet a flick was awarded.  A harsh decision as the ball was above the back board and George saved it with his hand and stick (the hand being technically part of the stick).  In fact, the tournament photographer managed to capture this moment – perhaps goal line technology is needed at future under 12 regional tournaments.  George was taken away to be looked after by medic Pat Goss and after receiving some TLC from his Mum and after being given an icepack was back in action two games later.  The flick however was converted – Ben in goal having no chance against an expertly taken flick.  Hornets then scored a second to make the score 2-0 to Hornets.

Match 3
Norwich Dragons 0 Bury St Edmunds 1
After a couple of games off, and a chance for the boys to have a burger or two to replace the energy expended in the first two matches, Dragons faced the tournament’s eventual runners up.  But again the game was fairly even and the boys had opportunities.  By now the boys were playing better hockey, showing more confidence and working hard – Harry Cullens, Luke Byrne and Edward Murphy working well in their defensive triangle and Raunaq Rai working hard in midfield and up front.  Jono Chaney Baxter showed some excellent composure as he controlled a pass from Tom which saw him through on goal – he tried to place it, but shot narrowly wide.  Bury St Edmunds converted one of their few opportunities to win the game.

Match 4
Norwich Dragons 3 Bluehearts 1
George had recovered from his earlier injury and was set to start this game, however the team’s fascination with the water based pitch (if you hit the surface, water flies up), not only dirtied Nat’s clothes, but saw green gunky stuff end in George’s eye!  Cue George not starting and emergency treatment by medic Pat Goss on the sideline.  But, turning to the game… The boys dominated from the start. Ollie Shippam going closest with a neat reverse stick strike that seemed to be going in after the defender deflected it, but the keeper saved.  But a lapse in concentration saw Bluehearts score a goal on the break.  At half time, Ali and Nat held a quick poll asking who wanted to win; all the boys raised their hands and what a team talk that turned out to be.  The boys played their best hockey of the tournament scoring three second half goals to win 3-1.  An impressive display showing great character (with George coming on for the second half).  Goals came from Tom Bailon, Pedro Goss and Raunaq Rai.

Penalty Flicks
Norwich Dragons 1/3 Cambridge City 0/3
It turned out that Cambridge City won, drew and lost as many games as we did, scored the same and conceded the same.  And because the result between us both was a draw, the officials had to dust off the rule book.  The decision was: best of three penalty flicks then sudden death.

Cue impromptu penalty flick training session….  Edward, Harry and Luke were chosen to take the three penalty strokes.

Over they went with Ben the goalie.  The rest of the team looked on nervously…. and…. Ben saved, Edward scored, Ben saved, Harry’s flick was well saved, Ben saved…. Ben saved all three and we scored one and did not have to take our third – cue cheering from the boys and much jumping on Ben.  Dragons finished third in their league and would you believe it, had to play Norwich City for the 5^th and 6^th place play off!

Match 5
Norwich Dragons 0 Norwich City 2
The boys tend to worry when they play Norwich City, despite the head to heads this season seeing City winning 2 and Dragons winning 2.  But Ali and Nat talked through various tactics to ensure the boys were prepared for how City could play.  Again, the game was evenly matched.  But it was City who scored – a bouncing ball crossed in from the left saw a Dragons’ defender attempt to stop it, but deflect it past a helpless Ben in goal.  City then scored another to leave the score 2-0 at half time.  But Dragons came out determined to get some goals in the second half, with Tom Bailon and Edward Murphy going close.  In fact, Dragons did score from a short corner: Tom Bailon’s reverse stick hit was rising, but deflected down into the goal to hit the backboard by the keeper.  But, this was disallowed on the grounds that the umpire did not think the ball had come out of the D during the short corner.  City’s coach was as perplexed as Dragons.  Final score: 2-0 loss.

Ipswich won the tournament, beating Bury St Edmunds 3-0 in the final.  Norwich City came 5^th and Dragons came 6^th.

This was an excellent result for the boys.  Both the boys and the coaches did not know what to expect at this tournament.  The boys grew in confidence playing some great hockey.  They did the club proud.  We hope they will be at this tournament next season.