Women’s East Hockey League Prem
Norwich Dragons 1s 3-6 Cambridge Uni 1s

After such a good result and performance last week, Dragons were keen to continue in this manner against Cambridge University.

However, it was the University side who dominated the early passage of play and despite some good defensive work from Maddie Denman and Lou Murray, they found themselves 2-0 up early on. Dragons grew into the game and were able to create some chances of their own but these were snuffed out by the well organised defence and ex dragon player, GK Freddie Briscoe. Before half time, Cambridge were able to increase their lead through a well worked short corner.

Dragons started the second half much brighter and after some good work down the left from player of the match Rachel King, Emma Tabrett was able to coolly slot the ball home. This should have spurred the Dragons on but it was Cambridge who scored shortly after the retain their 3 goal cushion. Despite this Dragons showed some real grit and determination and were able to take the ball forwards. Some good interlinking play from Aoife Lowe Davis and Hayley Toleman saw Stacey Lee at the back post to sweep the ball over the line. This end to end game continued, both teams attacking and after Cambridge added a fifth, Dragons quickly pulled another back, this time Marie James ensuring the ball crossed the line. The away side had the final say, finishing in style and deservedly earning the 3 points.

The second half was much more pleasing from the Dragon’s point of view, but a sloppy start gave the well organised University team a head start which the dragons couldn’t pull back. Away to league leaders West Herts next week, Dragons will need to be at it from the off.

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Women’s East Hockey League Division 1N
Norwich Dragons 2s 1-2 Wisbech 1

Dragons Ladies 2’s arrived at sunny Wisbech bright and early with the ‘Fun-Bus’ making a welcome return! Dragons once again were taking on lofty opposition, with Wisbech sitting in 2nd place. Captain O’Neill-Simpson asked for the team to give all they had in what was going to be a tough game. The warm-up was a little subdued, so Captain Karen asked for a bit more ‘fire in bellies’ right from the outset………one team member clearly took this too far, with Hannah Hardy earning a green card within 10 secs, directly from the pushback.

Early proceedings were quite even, Wisbech had their attacks but the defence and midfield were battling well to limit Wisbech’s chances. Sophie Thomas, playing in a new position showed calmness and maturity in her tackling and good positional sense. Going forward, once again blessed with the pace of Laura Shreeve and Marcy Windsor-Waite, meant Dragons always threatened on the break, but their opportunities were limited to counter attacks.

Wisbech threatened and forced a number of short corners, however joint Players of the Match Rowie York-Smith and Angela Murgatroyd were literally laying their bodies on the line for the cause, supported as always by Ally Windsor-Waite, who expertly took another short corner off the line and Amy Forse who was ‘Forsed’ into many a strong save!! Eventually however, the Wisbech pressure told with a player getting through down the right and forcing a cross in from the baseline, which was slotted home by Charlie Paine.

Dragons were very much in the game and as the 2nd half started, they created opportunities again largely on the break, but with some good work, especially through Gail Thomas, who was having a fine game at left midfield and Pip Howes on the right, Dragons always threatened. Lauren Lawrie was making some intelligent runs, putting the Wisbech defence under pressure.

Having soaked up another spell of Wisbech pressure, Dragons pushed up the field. Sophie Thomas made a strong run into the attacking 25 and with some calm stick skills, moved into the D where she was fouled, earning Dragons 2nd short corner. Marcy Windsor-Waite dragged out firmly and accurately and Gail Thomas unleashed a bullet into the left corner, giving the keeper no chance.

The remainder of the half continued in the same vein – defensively Dragons were working extremely well. Geo Beckwith, Karen O’Neill Simpson battling for every ball and a draw seemed like it was going to be the final outcome. Unfortunately however, with less than a minute on the clock, Wisbech earned a long corner, the ball was played and was closed down quickly by Dragons and cleared up field, however the far umpire blew and conferred with the other umpire and gave a short corner for an earlier infringement……. from here, a mis-hit effort trickled over the line, much to the elation of the Wisbech players and sideline.

For the 2nd week in 3, Dragons had succumbed to a very late goal robbing them of what would have been a well earned draw. Clearly there was disappointment, but the team had given all they had. In the last 3 weeks, they have taken all top 3 teams down to the wire and should be proud of their efforts. Strong team spirit and hard graft, will see the team get the results they deserve.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s Premier Division
Norwich Dragons 3s 0-1 Norwich City 2

Dragons Ladies 3rd team knew this was going one of the harder tests of the season so far. Both teams in contention for the top spot in the table.

Although City took the first push back, Dragons started with a high intensity and took the game to City playing some attractive attacking hockey and enjoying a lot of the possession. Lara Taylor and Sian Lawrie created space with great linking play and the City defence were definitely the busier but they showed great resilience and limited the Dragon side to few goal scoring opportunities. City 2’s proved to be quick on the counter attack and it was the home side who had the first clear cut chance when they broke through the Dragons midfield. With the well drilled defensive line up of Sarah Wagstaff, Laura Bruce and Carmel Windsor-Waite along with the Dragons keeper Kristina Smyth to beat, the away side were determined not to make it easy for the City team. Smyth was quick to spot the danger players early and with great communication to her defenders they made a superb clearance at the top of the D sweeping the ball to safety. The Dragons continued to push forward and Wagstaff often found space through the tight City press smashing the ball up field. Forwards Natasha Blyth and Caroline Wolfe sprinting to catch the ball, sadly the end of the pitch came too soon.

The second half was similar to the first. The Dragons maintained their discipline, Laura Goodbun holding her own up front and Natasha Falzon giving support on the left, skipping over the City press with an aerial to Issy Wolfe. City matched the well drilled passing game working in groups to assault the Dragons side. It was clear that this would not be a high scoring game. Consistently end to end it was the City side that broke the deadlock scoring the only goal of the game from a miss hit reverse that dinked into the goal leaving even the City player surprised of the direction it took. Undeterred the Dragons, with great ferocity, went in search a goal and although they did look the more likely of the two teams to score City continued to prove dangerous on the counter attack as they had speed and ability in their forwards which kept the Dragons defence on their toes.

Several corners, both long and short, gave the Dragon side opportunities which sadly they were unable to capitalise on. Despite the slick stick skills of Issy Wolfe and PoM Lara Taylor, as well as the clean distribution of Debs Smith, the speedy wings Hazel Sumner and Sam Franklin were unable to find a clean Dragon stick on their frequent crosses into the D.

The final score 1:0 to the City side could easily have been in the opposite favour, but sadly it wasn’t the day for the Dragons side. Continuing the keep their heads high and play with intensity Dragons are eager to try and get back to their winning ways next week.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s Division 1
Norwich Dragons 4s 1-1 Norwich City 4

This was billed as possibly the match of our season. Norwich city were top of the league with an amazing goal difference. The Dragon ladies were sitting fourth but it was very tight at the top of the table, and we were desperate for a win.

The majority of the matches this season we have had to fight back form a goal down. This was not going to be one of those games when Dragons took the lead half way through the first half.

The ball was worked out of defence by some confident play by Louise Davis. It was then moved around the midfield by Gemma Rump and Megan Williams who found Kate Mc Kenna wide. Kate drove it in to the D slipped it back to Megan, then on to Sue Cross who had just arrived at the post.

The defence played well against a young pacey opposition. Kate Atkins made a number of timely tackles, and also worked hard to channel the attackers along the line.

Louise had an excellent game, and was very unlucky when the ball caught her foot in the D. The umpire originally signalled for a short corner  then changed his mind after discussion with the other umpire  and awarded a flick. This was converted and city had equalised.

Harriet Green was awarded man of the match, for a determined play in midfield. Dragons were able to keep possession with Debbie Santa Clara, Megan Williams, Charlotte Poundle and Kate McKenna linking well.

The forwards struggled to penetrate the city defence with individual direct runs at goal, although we did have a number of shots that were saved.

The game became more exciting when first City and then Dragons had a goal disallowed for no contact in the D, Harriet watched in dismay as Kenny just couldn’t get her stick to the ball in the dying minutes.

A draw was a fair result but both teams will be left thinking what if……

POM : Harriet Green
Scorer :  Sue Cross

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s Division 2

Norwich Dragons 5s 3-1 Herlings

After a lot of rainfall overnight the Ladies 5’s were prepared for the grass game with studded wellies and snorkels. Spirits were very high and we arrived early to practise striking the ball and not the turf. As history goes the Ladies 5 had not won a game against Herlings on grass. A plan was struck if the toss was won the 5’s would start the game going downhill to give an extra edge, fitness levels were high and we could still maintain pace going uphill in the second half.

Herlings had first push back, the ball was intercepted by Vicky Earley at bottom of the diamond and distributed out to Rachael Matthews who weaved through the opposition to pass the ball onto the forwards. Herlings defence would not let us pass that easily and were solid. On her debut for Dragons and the 5’s, Georgie Manly picked up the ball and struck a solid strike across the D, Lucy Morton in a great position saw it flash past, no goal this time. Mel Widdows was doing a fantastic job at top of the diamond retrieving any balls and injecting them back into the D. For the first 10 minutes the Herlings were pressed into the D, trying to stop our advances. One hard strike and Herlings cleared the ball out. Jemima Williams was quick to chase and hold back the charge, passing the ball through to Ellie James who still managed to squeeze in some stick skills around the opposition. The forwards again were looking dangerous in the D. Lisa Harwood stuck the post, luckily Mel was on hand to push it behind the keeper. Jubilation all round! Herlings pushed back again and was soon intercepted by Jess Tye-Leech who also had several charges forward to move the ball. The defence were working really well, pressing forward, chasing down making it extremely difficult for the Herlings to even make it into the D. Freya Clogan used her wallop to best advantage down the wing, bouncing it over the oppositions sticks and down to our waiting midfield. The 5’s again charged down hill, Holly Bailey moving the ball at speed into D, Lisa battling her way around the opposition defence, passed the ball across the goal to a waiting Megan Farrant who eased it in behind the keeper. The whole team were elated with the score 2-0 up at half time, and still full of energy ready for round 2.

Alice Smith at this point was getting bored and a sore throat from extremely loud shouting! The 5’s knew that Herlings would be trying to come back strong and had the down hill advantage. But the 5’s were still hungry for more goals, Vicky used her speed and competitive nature to pick off the Herlings attempts to pass through. Herlings were trying more hard strikes to clear through the pitch, one pass was charged down by Jess, one cleared with Alice’s muddy hoof, one ball unfortunately made it through and was struck hard into the goal. Still we were 2-1 up, and Georgie was testing out all the moves to crack a goal off. The final goal of the game came from Lucy who reads play well to get herself into positions for goal scoring, strike! The whole team played incredibly well and were determined until the end, plenty of turf was dug and some comedy misses. Great game and still on top.

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s Division 2
Norwich Dragons 6s 1-2 Yarmouth 2

The games between these two teams have proved close tussles in recent seasons, with the higher placed Yarmouth having a slight edge. This match was no exception, but circumstances conspired to stack the deck slightly against Dragons and they went down to two second half goals.

It was clear from the off that if Dragons were to get anything out of this game they would have to do it the ugly way, and for the first half their tactics worked. Stand-in goalkeeper Bridget Le Good (POM) somehow kept everything out. Defenders and mids tackled like their lives depended on it and all the players made every effort to be first to the ball. After about 20 minutes of very shabby passing and what seemed like a determined effort to give the ball away at every opportunity, Dragons began to press. Jo Eke had another outstanding game at the bottom of the diamond, and Jade Blanchflower (welcome back after glandular fever), Gill Walker top of the diamond and Beth Elgood raiding down the right began to push Yarmouth back, and from one scrimmage in the circle Jasmine Mansfield (who does take up some excellent positions) forced the ball home.

The same old same old 6s problem of failing to get shots away was possibly at its worst this week, with the pinball wizards hitting every buffer and foot available. Gill, Beth, Jade, Jasmine, Catherine Matthews, Rosie Skipp and Jess Vernon all made every effort, but the lessons practised in training did not come off for the 6s this week. The penalty corners also need major attention.

Yarmouth came out in the second half determined to make Dragons pay for failing to take their chances. Bridget was unable to maintain the focus of the first half and was beaten by a penalty corner drilled straight down the middle and by a lifted shot minutes later.  The defence – Katie Franks, Ilona Motyer, Alice MacNeile and Ginny Simkin and Jo maintained the timely tackles, but the clearances lacked consistency  and we did not get our attack going.

Rosie is commended as one player who did continue to track back and make herself available. Jade, unsurprisingly, faded with her efforts and was not helped by catching a stick to the neck! Unfortunately, towards the end of the second half when the equaliser failed to come Dragons lost their shape. The accuracy and timing of the passes went off again – the biggest criticism being that that were made far too l-a-t-e and were open invitation .to the home side to nip in and intercept.

The 6s have even tougher opposition next week and it is to be hoped that players don’t let their heads drop, just because some tough comments have had to be made. If there is one thing the whole squad could take away from this match it is that sometimes sheer effort is not enough and does not get a reward. Game play and the techniques have to be there as well.