Mens East League Division 2N
Norwich Dragons 1s 4:2 Wisbech 2

Dragons welcomed newly promoted Wisbech seconds to the Dragons’ Den for their opening fixture of the new league season. Dragons started brightly, controlling possession of the game and limiting Wisbech to attacking on the break. Matt Knights opened the scoring, pouncing on a loose ball to the left of the D and firing home past the Wisbech keeper (1-0 Dragons). Rupert Snelling made the score 2-0, following up on shot which was saved by the Wisbech keeper to flick the ball over him into the net. Matt Knights scored his second of the game with a deft touch through his legs past the keeper. This made it 3-0 and this was the score at half-time.

Wisbech stepped up their press in the second half, putting much more pressure on the Dragons’ defence. The Dragons defence held strong, but Dragons were unable to control the ball and play as they had in the first half. This meant they had to play on the break and, after good work down the left hand side by Dave Sloman, Mark Flatman found himself free in the circle and he launched an unstoppable shot past the Wisbech keeper making the score 4-0 to Dragons. Dragons were reduced to 10 men towards the middle of the half and Wisbech score on the break-away to make it 4-1.

Dragons man of the match was Mark Flatman

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Mens East League Division 3NE
Norwich Dragons 2s 0:3 Magpies 4

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Men’s East Hockey League Division 4NE
Norwich Dragons 3s 1:3 Watton 1

Dragons travelled to Watton for the start of a new campaign full of confidence following back to back championships and a solid pre-season.

After a scrappy start on a difficult pitch, it was Watton who began to make the early chances, testing the defensive line and forcing keeper Robbie Bell into a number of good saves. The defence held firm with the experience of David Pentin and Peter Davison providing a solid barrier as Watton looked to break the deadlock.

Dragons looked to hit their opponents on the counter attacking down both wings with Henry Eades, Will Ives and Barnie Abraham all supporting the attack with pace whilst maintaining their defensive duties.

Despite the early pressure, Dragons took the lead against the run of play. Good pressing from Jon Goodson and Alec Bidet-Steele in midfield forced Watton back towards their own D and some neat one touch play from Adrian Kemp and Matt Jenkins set up Ollie King to clip the ball around the advancing keeper.

The goal lifted Dragons and they continued to press with Stu Kelly putting in committed tackles in midfield to break up the Watton play set Dragons on the attack. A solid, driving run from John Ives led to the ball finding Adrian Kemp in the area, who was unlucky not to make it 2-0 firing narrowly wide under pressure from the keeper.

HT 1-0.

After the break, the game picked up in intensity and Watton began to attack in waves and got their reward with a goal into the bottom corner. Dragons struggled to maintain their attacking momentum and short passing style and began to sit back, attempting to catch Watton on the counter.

Shortly afterwards, Watton made it 2-1 from a penalty flick; Henry Eades penalised for a high stick in the D which looked to prevent a goal scoring opportunity. The lead was increased further minutes later with a fine goal, expertly taking out of the air by the striker who provided a classy finish to seal his hat-trick and ultimately seal the win for Watton.

Despite the result, Dragons can take many positives from a game which was always going to be a tough challenge. With influential captain George Walker shortly to return from injury, the team can look on to the forthcoming season and look to build on the success of the previous two years.

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Men’s East Hockey League Division 5NE
Norwich Dragons 4s 2:4 Pelicans 3

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Men’s East Hockey League Division 7NE
Norwich Dragons 5s: No Fixture

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League Division 2
Norwich Dragons 5s 1:1 Breckland

Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s dominated play in their game against Breckland but a win was not to be and Dragons 5s had to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw. In the first half, Dragons were quick to pick up the pace of the game and drove the ball down to the attacking circle numerous times but were unable to drive home the goal despite the best efforts of Rosie Korn who was firing them at the goal only to be deflected by the Breckland keeper.  The defensive barrier of Tammy St John, Jess Tye Leach, Emma Buxton  and a rotation of Lotte Korn and Helen Marsh were an unstoppable combination that deflected any of Breckland’s attempts and gave Dragons nothing to worry about.

Lotte & Helen were debuting for the Ladies teams today. Rotating at left back, both more than earned their place in the team putting in some excellent tackles & learning as they went from the more experienced players.  Dragons were determined in the second half but alas Breckland managed to sneak a goal past our defence and finish it after a deflection off the keeper Alice Smith.

Dragons came back strong winning a number of short corners & their goal finally came after a strike from Anja Finnegan and then finished from an impossible looking deflection by Jade Blanchflower (Man of the Match). Dragons continued to dominate play and have a lot of possession within the D but despite best efforts from Charlotte Stance, Lois McGregor, Anja Finnegan, Chiara Bond, Kerri White and Katie Buxton another goal just was not going to happen. Strong defending by Breckland and a key sweeper kept any attacks at bay. Dragons reflected on the game afterwards and know what they need to do to up their goal scoring ability.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League Division 3
Norwich Dragons 6s 0:2 Beccles

Yet another new Dragons’ team proudly made its league debut as the club goes from strength to strength, but on this occasion instead of a squad of talented and eager youngsters taking centre stage, a number of ‘Get Back Into’ ladies took to the field.  It was one of those weeks when most teams were short of players because of conflicting events.  But, the former players responded magnificently for the tussle against Beccles, who were formidable in the Norfolk Premier Division until they finally had to concede through lack of players last year. Beccles have re-emerged in Division 3, and although they are not yet a big squad, they look as though they have enough seasoned and powerful players to take this division comfortably.

But the Dragons pushed them close. After frightening themselves by discovering that some players hadn’t picked up a stick for up to seven years, they set about their task. Sally Sabberton-Coe and Hayley Shorten were combining up front with well-weighted passes and clever runs.  Megan Bowe amazed with her reach and her speed at the bottom of the diamond- matched by Ness Boon who can still operate down both wings. Natasha Falzon was a solid centre back who cut short the Beccles raids, and she was well supported on the right by Tara Johnson and the left by Jasmin Daniels, two young players about whom far more will be heard this season. Kate Nichols covered plenty of the pitch in midfield, and pushed up into the attack, where Claire Fairhurst took up good positions and drew the opposition. Laura Tuck, fighting her way back to fitness, was only beaten by two very good penalty corners from Jodie Sharp. Dragons had plenty of position and chances of their own, and could have scored if it had not been for the annoying habit of the goalposts moving from where they should have been, and perhaps a little rustiness about shooting on sight.

This game was an excellent example of Get Back Into hockey, Mike Hardy and Pete Thomas holding the team together on the line and the returning players prepared to give it everything (despite no doubt suffering for a few days afterwards).  That stiffness will soon wear off – just remember how much you enjoyed the match.

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Empresa Norfolk Boys Development League
Norwich Dragons: 2:9 Norwich City

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Empresa Norfolk Girls Development League
Norwich Dragons 0:1 Yarmouth

Captained by Katie Franks the Girls Development team were narrowly beaten by Yarmouth.  Issy played well through the middle, Mia made some great tackles and Carmel played really well in defence.   Player of the match went to keeper Mollie who made some great saves.

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The ‘Dragons Hoof’ table as at 21/09/2013