Mens East League Division 2 North
Norwich Dragons 1s 2:1 IES 1
Dragons entertained table topping and champions Ipswich and East Suffolk (IES) at the Dragons Den. On a freezing cold day there was snow in the air when the game started and snow on the ground at the end !
Winning the toss Dragons started with the snow and the wind to their back on the first half. With both teams struggling to play fluid hockey in the conditions, Dragons seemed to settle the better of the two teams. They created some good attacks and were able to put pressure on the IES defence with their press. However, it was IES who opened the scoring from their first penalty corner: a powerful shot smashing into the backboard. This seemed to drive Dragons on and they evened the scored when Lewis Wilkins scored at the far post, finishing off a good passing move in style. Dragons probably enjoyed more of the possession of the ball as the half moved on, but Ipswich & East Suffolk always looked dangerous on the break. Dragons won a penalty corner on the stroke of half-time and though they were not able to get their shot away, IES were unable to clear the ball and Dragons won a 2nd penalty corner. This time Alex Browne smashed the ball home to give Dragons a 2-1 lead at half-time.
It had snowed pretty much all of the first half and continued to snow through out the second half. Despite the conditions, the teams continued to play good hockey, though perhaps not quite at top speed. IES started the half brightly, pushing Dragons back. Though they won a number of penalty corners they were not able to find away passed the Dragons defence. At the other end Dragons created a number of chances but were unable to find the net. IES pushed late to try and find the equaliser but were unable to breach the Dragons defence
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Mens East League Division 4 North East
Norwich Dragons 2s 4:8 Felixstowe 2
Dragons 2XI made the Wintery journey down to Felixstowe for their rearranged game against Felixstowe. While on the way down the pitch was clear and playing however as the Dragons arrived the snow did also…the pitch wasn’t frozen but was starting to build a blanket on top. Both teams stepped out on the field to test conditions and afterwards decided with team decisions that the game would go ahead.
Unfortunately the dragons could not play their normal fast flowing hockey they have come accustomed to this season. Where as Felixstowe’s long ball game appeared deadly affective as they scored two in quick succession. Dragons managed to claw one back through Dan Cheesman however as conditions worsened the Dragons pace was the victim of their wide men and strikers struggling to stay on two feet. Felixstowe put in two more to make it 4-1 at half time.
The dragons came out for second half frustrated not being able to play their passing style as the ball didn’t travel. Felixstowe put two more in as their simple long ball hockey was paying off further with a 6-1 lead. Dribbling was off the cards, however George Walker amazed the rest by ghosting past 4 players before setting Barney Price up for a lovely finish. This spurred dragons further first of all Andy Kelsall found the corner of the goal from a short and then Matt Jenkins provide a strong strike to bring the scores to 6-4. Dan Cheesman tried to bring the scores to 1 behind however couldn’t find the back of an empty net.
Felixstowe followed up with 2 extra against the run of play to end the game 8-4. In hindsight the Dragons 2XI should have called the game off as conditions were unplayable however when traveling such a distance it’s hard for a team to say no.
Neil Shorten man of the match.
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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 3:3 Loddon 1
Having played so well and got such a good result last week in a top of the table clash the message to the team was clear as they welcomed Loddon to the Den – not to be complacent and not to take anything for granted however the Dragons did just that and paid the ultimate price.
Unable to string passes together and play the attractive style of hockey that they had come accustomed to they still dominated and had the lions share of possession with much of the match being played in Loddons half of the pitch resulting in the Dragons defence getting cold as the snow came down as they had very little to do.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock the Dragons leading 3-1 they seemed to think the match had been won but Loddon had different ideas as they weaved their way through the depleted Dragons defence with ease and put two goals past the Dragons keeper.
The performance of the Dragons was disappointing but more so was the lack of work rate and desire; the ability to take three points from this game was lost when the team switched off thinking the game was won. This could be costly as Norwich City close the gap.
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East Women’s Hockey League Division 2 North East
Norwich Dragons 2s: P:P IES 1
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 1
Norwich Dragons 3s A:A UEA 3
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 4s 5:0 Breckland
We were all praying to the weather gods that the snow would stay away and for once it did – almost! The match started in the bitter cold, but it was at least snow free. Breckland had a team of only 8 players and while this may seem like a good thing it did mean that their D was crowded with defenders, making it rather tricky to move the ball around. Initially Breckland made several attempts to try and get the ball down into the Dragon’s half, but their over-heavy backline meant there was no one for the ball to go to and it was quickly picked up by Dragon’s defenders.
The first two goals were scored by Debbie Santa Clara, both from diverted strikes from outside the D, neatly positioned into the corner, behind the keeper. Gemma Rump and Megan Harvey, made a lovely partnership at the bottom of the diamond – keeping possession of the ball and driving play time and again into the Breckland 23. The third goal of the first half came from Catherine Bourassa, a lovely hit straight into the left-hand corner from the edge of the D.
After the break Dragons lost a little momentum – possibly due to the fact that the snow had started to fall (rather heavily) and with it came a nice wind to make visibility poor and conditions bone chilling. Annika Richardson scored a fantastic goal, which went straight through the keepers legs, from a short corner. Lucy Campbell was awarded player of the match, for her excellent effort on the wing, constantly driving the ball towards the D. While Sophie Farrow and Felicia Roberts worked hard in the center – moving play out wide and feeding the ball into the oppositions D. The final goal came from Sue Cross, a wonderful sweep past the keeper’s foot, Sue had had several near misses prior to this and was pleased to get one on target to secure an excellent victory.
Good hockey, despite the poor conditions – fingers crossed that we can play tomorrow!
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 5s 3:0 Norwich City 6
The 5s completed their first double of the season with a 3-0 win at the Den over the City 6s, the same score as it was at Taverham. Both teams had strengthened their squads from the half term fixture, so it was game on from the outset in chilly, squally conditions.
In this match, the 5s brought together all that is best about their game – moving the ball, (reasonably) accurate passing, a bit of lateral running, plenty of crosses into the box – and this time actually a few of them were converted. Laura Goodbun was at the heart of all the good work. She had the run of the right side, and could beat whoever was attached to mark or tackle her. She set up the moves for Rosie Korn and Lisa Harwood to score, and was also on hand to move in and score herself.
Katie Buxton was voted player of the match for her performance at the bottom of the diamond, where she controlled the midfield with excellent distribution,to all corners of the pitch. The whole defence emerged with honours. Abi Cowe really has mastered the art of surprising opponents with her ability to surge from deep, with Emma and Katie Buxton there to cover for her if needed – and in this match it most certainly was, as Jo Tilson was on excellent form for City, and always looked as though she would cause problems wherever she popped up. But somehow it always felt as though Dragons were in control, and goalkeeper Morag Morrison was never seriously threatened and got in some fabulous clearances.
Armiria Pounsford did a good job at left defence, where she was not expecting to play this week. Claire Fairhurst improves with every game. Lizzy McDonnell impressed when she moved up to the forward line, and Chiara Bond worked hard to ensure there were no serious threats from the City left.
A word of thanks and praise to the umpires Sue Huggins and Victoria Broadway. They controlled the game sympathetically, allowing advantages to keep the game flowing and consulting over the one fall attributable to the weather conditions. As ever, Puff looks after his own and the 5s had the best of a miserable day (weatherwise) and certainly the best of the hockey on a fast, exciting pitch.
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Boys Development League
Norwich Dragons: 4:2 Dereham
On a cold and snowy Saturday the boys travelled to Kings Lynn to play the Pelicans.
We started the game off well, our defence coping well with the lack of a goalkeeper. After a good passage of play Robert Chaney-Baxter found himself one-on-one with the keeper. He put the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Our defence did well to keep them out of our D, but a good short from a tight angle drew pelicans level. Not long after, Jonty Gosling found himself in the D after a surging run. He finished with a well struck reverse-stick shot. This gave us a 2-1 lead at half –time.
Again we started the half brightly. After some good clean passing around their D, Raunaq Rai took a shot and scored. Pelicans now began to apply more pressure, coming away with several short corners. These were brilliantly defended by the team, especially with out a keeper. A special mention should go to Hamish Packham who took several knocks. The pelicans did come away with a goal from open play. Later, Oli King after making a break, fired the ball into the D. The goalkeeper mistimed his kick, accidentally putting it into his own goal. The Pelicans kept on the pressure but once again our defence was equal to it. The final score was 4-2. This was an impressive victory, showing how much the team has improved this season. There were some great performances from some of the younger team members.
Also, a thanks should go to our adults Oli king and Will Ives.
Man of the match goes to the whole team.
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Marshall Motor Group Norfolk Girls Development League
Norwich Dragons 1:1 Pelicans 2
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The hoof table as it currently stands
| 1 | Ladies 3s | 4.65 |
| 2 | Ladies 4s | 4.16 |
| 3 | Ladies 1s | 4.05 |
| 4 | Mens 3s | 3.71 |
| 5 | Mens 2s | 3.27 |
| 6 | Mens 4s | 2.55 |
| 7 | Mens 1s | 2.17 |
| 8 | Ladies 2s | 2.15 |
| 9 | Ladies 5s | 1.91 |
| 10 | Girls Development | 1.23 |
| 11 | Boys Development | 1.23 |