| Team | Date | Opposition | H/A | Time | Score | Scorers | Player of Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1s | 17/02/18 | Cam City 2 | A | 12.30 | 3-1 (L) | Hayley Toleman | Lucy Ripman |
| L3s | 17/02/18 | Broadland 1 | H | 15.30 | 2-1 (W) | Debs Smith Maddy Reynolds | Kat Speirs Kath Mares |
| L4s | 17/02/18 | City 4 | H | 10.45 | 3-0 (W) | Caroline Wolfe x2 Lynne Price | Tricia Hagan Katie Franks |
| L6s | 17/02/18 | Herlings 1 | A | 14.00 | 0-1 (W) | Gemma Ballard | Harriet Rant |
| L8s | 17/02/18 | Carrow 2 | H | 10.00 | P-P | ||
| M1s | 17/02/18 | City of Pboro 3 | H | 14.00 | 4-3 (W) | Tom Vaughan Alex Browne x2 Josh Wiggins | Alex Browne |
| M2s | 17/02/18 | Bury St Ed 2 | A | 14.00 | 2-2 (D) | Rich Gill Eddie Gould | Pedro Goss |
| M3s | 17/02/18 | Sudbury 2 | H | 15.00 | 2-4 (L) | Jon Goodson Will Kirby | |
| M4s | 17/02/18 | IES 4 | H | 11.30 | 2-4 (L) | Jordan Hambling Phil York Smith | Paul Keating |
| M5s | 17/02/18 | Bury St Ed 4 | H | 13.15 | 0-4 (L) | Chris Millar | |
| BD B | 17/02/18 | Magpies | A | 14.00 | 1-0 (L) | Alex Wolfe |
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Women’s East Hockey League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Cambridge City 2s: 1-3
The Dragons headed to Cambridge this weekend to replay a match cancelled before Christmas. It was a key match for the Dragons, and a win would allow them to have control over their hopes to stay in East Prem.
The team once again welcomed Shelly Seaman, Lucy Morton and Jess Bennett into the squad, but were missing some key members, including Captain Sarah Jenkins who was on the side-line due to injury. Dragons looked slow to start and were quickly under pressure from Cambridge City. The defence of Cleeve in goal and Reding, Thomas, Seaman and Ripman held tight though and managed to dispel attacks throughout the majority of the first half. Unfortunately, just before half time, a Cambridge player found space in the D and managed to score, putting the home team 1-0 up as the half time whistle went.
After a stern talking to at half time, Dragons started the second half with renewed energy and resolve. Unfortunately, a penalty corner was awarded to Cambridge City and a strong strike from the top of the D pushed the home team 2-0 up.
Dragons didn’t give up though and some good passing between Lucy Ripman and Issy Wolfe led to some promising attacks down the right, feeding into Lucy Morton, Stacey Lee and Hayley Toleman up front, who all worked hard to create chances. It was one such period of play that led to the goal, scored by Toleman, to bring the score to 2-1.
Unfortunately, Cambridge City maintained the pressure and Dragons were unable to find the form they had enjoyed in previous weeks. Lucy Ripman kept the Norwich ladies in the game on several occasions, making goal line saves, and went on to win player of the match. The forwards created several chances for themselves, but it was not to be this week and no equaliser came.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, the opposition scored again, putting the final score at 3-1. A disappointing game for the Norwich Dragons.
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Women’s East Hockey League, Division 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s – no fixture
Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v Broadland 1s: 2-1
An almost spring like afternoon at the Den this weekend saw a top of the table clash between Norwich Dragons 3’s and Broadland 1’s. This game was always going to be a close encounter and the first half began cautiously from both teams.
Dragon’s attack came from some great crosses created by runs down the left wing by Lucy Buxton and the right wing by Sam Franklin, which Harriet Marlee and Maddy Reynolds in the D narrowly missed wide of the posts.
Broadland put pressure on the Dragons defence of Kat Speirs, Esme Potter, Kath Mares, Angela Murgatroyd and Hannah Ellis who maintained the upper hand despite Broadland coming close a few times and having plenty of short corners. Unfortunately, with the score at 0 0, on the stroke of half time Dragons lost Kath Mares to A&E following a ball to the face to receive dental care.
After a strong half time team talk Dragons were determined to up their game intensity and the midfield of Hazel Knights, Debs Smith, Sophie Barrow and Aditi Naik worked tirelessly in the second half to support both the forwards and defence.
Broadland managed to score first in the second half from an attack down their right wing. However, Dragons responded positively and managed to win a couple of short corners, which led to a penalty stroke being awarded to Dragons, which Maddy Reynolds confidently converted to level the score.
Dragons maintained pressure on the Broadland defence and managed to score a second goal shortly afterwards following the combination of Sophie Barrow and Sam Franklin down the right wing, Sam crossed the ball back to Hannah Ellis at the top of the D, whose shot was deflected into the goal by Debs Smith.
Broadland continued to attack right up until the final whistle, which saw Kat Speirs make some great saves in goal, earning her joint player of the match with Kath Mares. A great team effort right up to the final whistle by the team, consisting of six under 16 year old players, which earned Dragons the win and another step closer to promotion. The whole team would like to wish Kath Mares a speedy recovery.
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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Norwich City 4s: 3-0
After a frosty start to Saturday the sun shone down on the Ladies 4s, they were looking forward to this rematch against the City 4s. City won the toss and selected to play with the sun on their backs. Caroline Wolfe pushed back to Lynne Price who slipped it out right and off we went against a youthful City squad. The 4s who have a weekly consistent team of players have over the season gelled and work great together. The first 15 minutes were spent pressing the opposition D and City couldn’t clear the ball as it was picked up by Lynne and Vicki Earley. Caroline, Fiona Fletcher and Gina Hunt were moving around in the D picking up the ball and forced some short corners which weren’t converted. City looked dangerous when they managed to make the break and had some speedy forwards, but they were closed down quickly on the wings by Jemima Williams and Katie Franks. Sarah Wagstaff was in the centre defence keeping everyone aware of the opposition play and protecting Kat Speirs in goal. Trish Hagan, Catherine Matthews and Ellie James were showing their skill and speed to take the ball wide down the wings and create triangular passes down the wings with Lynne. The first goal came from a short corner passed out by Fiona to Caroline who struck it into the left side where it deflected off the keepers pads into the back of the goal. First half complete.
After Rob Wagstaffs words of wisdom the 4s were ready for the 2nd half. City’s frustration was showing and Vicki cut off a lot of their play through the centre. The 4s kept up the speed and pressure and another goal came. Ball played into the D by Caroline and picked up by Lisa Harwood rebounds off the keepers pads and slotted through Lisa’s and the keepers legs by Lynne. The high intensity continued with City trying to force the ball through the press. Katie and Jemima were able to push higher and support the midfield. Kat working on her tan was called into action a few times and cleared the ball. The 3rd goal game from an injection by Trish, deflected by Gina to Caroline who slotted it past the keeper. Final score 3-0.
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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s – no fixture
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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Herlings 1s: 1-0
On a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon the Dragons headed to the Herlings home pitch which, wait for it… is GRASS. However, the Dragons kept a level head and didn’t let it faze them even though some had not played on grass for over 10 years or ever. The game started with the dragons heading downhill so it was thought best to put maximum pressure on from the get go. Within the first ten minutes Dragons quick passing play saw the ball to Amy Forse who demonstrated skill in the D to make a shot on goal which Herlings goalie saved however the rebound found Gemma Ballard’s perfectly positioned stick to find the back of the goal. 1-0 to Dragons. Incredible as this was Gemma first time on grass. The Dragons forwards made up of Harriet Rant, Amy Forse, Gemma Ballard and Louise Brooks had many more attempts on goal and a few near misses.
Harriet made some excellent low tackles keeping the ball in the attacking end of the pitch she suited playing on grass. Amy, Jen Buskell and Jade Blanchflower consistently used strong hard hits to move the ball with speed along the grass. Coco Brown worked tirelessly in the midfield putting in strong tackles and interceptions to switch play. Jane Wells and Maisie Dearmer made themselves a strong option on the wing to pass the ball out wide. Anita Mancini was solid at the top of the diamond and a crucial part of holding a press on many occasions stopping the ball leaving the attacking 25.
The defence of Kate Atkins, Hannah Woods, Jen Buskell, Emma Gillard and goalie Emily Roper made up the dream team. Emily saved multiple shots on goal including a cracking save with her stick. Jen smacking the ball with some cracking hits to send it up for the forwards to collect. Hannah and Kate both covered the wings well often taking on lone runners and turning the ball around.
Although we kept our game strong no more goals came, and the second half seemed to go on forever but when the final whistle blew dragons cheered in unison.
A special shout out to our traveling supporters and Claire for running the subs.
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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 v – Carrow 2s: P-P
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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v City of Peterborough: 4-3
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Dragons faced City of Peterborough at the den in a proverbial six-pointer and clinched a dramatic 4-3 victory in an end-to-end game.
Dragons started brightly, having the the lions’ share of possession and chances in the first ten minutes. However, two breakaway goals from CoP put dragons on the back foot. Being two-nil down in such a crucial game, it was vital that dragons still believed they could win it. Dragons got a life-line from Tom Vaughan who scored just before half time after a great run from Josh Wiggins in midfield. The half time team talk was positive. The focus was to on carry on what had gone right in the first half so far. Dragons turned the game around with two powerful short corners from Alex Browne to give the home team a 3-2 lead. CoP hit back once more with a goal to make it 3-3. With a few minutes left on the clock, an aerial from Lewis Wilkins set Josh Wiggins through against their keeper and calmly powered the ball home to snatch the game 4-3. A vital three points considering we were missing a few regulars but everyone in the team stepped up. A special mention to youngsters Josh Wiggins, Ed Murphy and Max Laming (who was unlucky not to win man of the match) who played fantastically. Man of the match was Alex Browne. |
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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v Bury St Edmunds 2s: 2-2
Twelve not so hardy men (including a hamstrung Jason Wolfe and prosecco lover – “no it was gin last night”- Garnett Jones) of the mens 2nds travelled to Bury St Edmunds 2nds for a rearranged game hoping to get back to winning ways and put their promotion push back on track – but unfortunately it wasn’t to be drawing 2-2 (HT 1-1).
On a very mild – some might say warm – day and on a particularly dry, slow pitch dragon’s should have been out of sight by halftime – creating numerous chances but with the home side’s goal living a charmed life and remaining inviolate. Indeed the home side struck first with the pitch’s lack of pace confounding dragon’s keeper resulting in them taking the lead totally against the run of play. An immediate response followed with dragons equalising courtesy of an Edd Gould short corner strike. Sadly, due to a pre match vehicular altercation the usual halftime jelly babies were absent – which may have had implications regarding the result; however we shall never know!
Despite second half ascendancy similar to the first, dragons couldn’t find the net and Bury again took the lead. Dragons kept to the task and finally some exceptional interplay resulted in a well worked goal by Richard Gill. Looking for the winner dragons were denied all three points by the post and some good saves.
Big shout out to MOM Pedro Goss, joint DOD Chris Simmonds and Giles Brooks, Jason’s hamstring holding out and Garnett not requiring oxygen or intravenous prosecco /gin!
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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Sudbury 2s: 2-4
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Men’s East Hockey League Division 4NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v IES 4s: 2-4
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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Bury St Edmunds 4s: 0-4
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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 6NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s – no fixture
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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Boys A – no fixture
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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Boys B v Magpies 0-1
On cold, crisp and sunny day at the Den, one second half goal was enough for Magpies to beat the Dragons development boys team.
In the first half Magpies had more possession but a combination of Dragons’ solid defence and hard-working midfield play meant that Magpies rarely converted possession to shots on goal. There were good counter attacking breaks from Dragons but at half time the score was goalless.
Shortly after the break a miss-hit Magpies shot bounced past the Dragons goal keeper to put the visiting team ahead. Despite increasing Magpies pressure Norwich continued to look dangerous on the counter attack. Kit Scott and Jack Blackham worked hard in midfield and Ben Panter put in a solid display sweeping at the back. In the last 10 minutes however, Magpies continued pressure created a number of shots on target for the visiting team, but a man of the match performance by Alex Wolfe in the Dragons goal kept the lead to just a single goal. Despite more counter attacking from Dragons the home team were unable to score and equalise.
Norwich Dragons can be proud of their effort and must look forward to getting back to winning ways in the next game.
Adam Bowles
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Norwich Dragons Hockey Club
Dragons Dev Girls v – no fixture
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