This Week’s Results

Team	Opposition	H/A	Score	Scorers	Player of Match
L1s	Sudbury 1	A	7-0 (L)		Polly Watson Carmel Windsor Waite
L2s	Harleston Magpies 3	H	2-1 (W)	Gail Thomas Mia Bartram	Mia Bartram
L3s	Ipswich 2	A	3-0 (L)		Sophie Farrow
L4s	N City 3	H	1-5 (L)	Lisa Harwood	Mia Somers
L5s	Magpies 6	A	0-1 (W)	Gemma Ballard	Emma Merryweather
L6s	Carrow	H	1-6 (L)	Jade Blanchflower	Brittany Hopkins Jade Blanchflower Maddie Gibbs
L7s	Loddon 2	H	2-0 (W)	Claire Fairhurst Orla Hardiman	Paige Fisher
L8s	Carrow 2	A	4-0 (L)		Ellie O'Kane Karen Davidson
M1s	Norwich City 2	A	4-0 (L)		Pedro Goss
M2s	Norwich City 4	A	6-2 (L)	Alex Sharpe Eddie Gould	Eddie Gould
M3s	Newmarket 1	H	1-3 (L)	John Ives	John Ives
M4s	Norwich Exiles 1	A	3-2 (L)	Neil Shorten Bobby Sheppard	Dim Ives
M5s	Harleston Magpies 5	H	4-0 (W)	Dave King Pete Latoy Tom Bailey Charlie Creasy	Shiv Kapur
M6s	Rest Day	-
BD A	Dereham	A	1-4 (W)	Rahul Kashul Will Sexton x3	Rahul Kaushal
BD B	East Coast	H	1-0 (L)		Monty Patel
GD A	Dereham	A	0-8 (W)	Freya D x2 India Bunn Mia Norris Mia Rutterford	Freya D
GD B	Yarmouth	A	0-0 (D)		Sophie Rice

East League,  Ladies 1N
Norwich Dragons Ladies 1s v Sudbury:  0-7

MOM:  Carmel Windsor Waite, Polly Watson

The Ladies 1st team lost 7-0 to Sudbury 1s.  A match of two halves, with a high intensity first half finishing 1-0 down after a flukey opposition goal from a reverse stick deflection. Fantastic movement off the ball using everything that was worked on in training.

The second half lost a lot of momentum after Sophie Barrow was given a green card. Two further goals were conceded with 10 players.  Frustratingly a further four goals were scored by Sudbury, however there were improvements towards the end of the match. Players of the match went to Carmel Windsor Waite for making some brilliant passes and strong defending, and Polly Watson for an overall fantastic game and distributing the ball brilliantly from the middle.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 2s v Norwich City 2s:  2-1

Goalscorers:  Gail Thomas, Mia Bartram
MOM: Mia Bartram

This week Dragons Ladies 2^’s welcomed Harleston Magpies 3’s to the den ready for a tough encounter as both teams were in a similar position on the league table. The game started at a high pace with both teams displaying good skilful hockey all over the field. During the first half Dragons created more attacking opportunities and short corners, but Magpies managed to take the lead a couple of minutes before the half time whistle.

Dragons remained positive and confident they could still win the game at half time and believed if they stuck to their game plan and fought hard for each other some points could be taken. The second half was played in a similar style to the first half with constructive attacking play from both teams. Dragons managed to equalise half way through the second half from Gail Thomas with a clean strike on goal at a short corner.

Dragons now believed they could take all three points and continued to battle hard all the over the pitch and were soon rewarded with a second goal from open play scored by Mia Bartram. Magpies continued to put pressure on the Dragons defence but were unable to find an equaliser. A great team performance to build on in the coming few weeks and the player of the match was awarded to Mia Bartram.

East League, Ladies 2NE
Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v  Ipswich 2s:  0-3

MOM: Sophie Farrow

Dragons 3’s had an unfortunate result against Ipswich losing 3-0.
Their goals were from well rehearsed short corners and a straight strike.
3’s played hard with some great defensive work and we go again taking lessons learnt with us.

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v Norwich City 3s:  1-5

Goalscorers:  Lisa Harwood
MOM:  Mia Somers

After a buoyant game the previous week the 4s were keen for a repeat performance.  The Norwich City 3s were near the top of the table and we expected a tough game.  In the first 10 minutes the Dragons battled hard and had a couple of chances on goal, passing out and round the opposition.  Then we just became a bit sloppy, hanging on the ball and City were quick to capitalise making breaks into our D.  At half time we were 2-0 nil down, with words of wisdom from our sideline posse we managed to pull back a goal with a ball slipped into the D from Amy Forse and stuck into the right corner from Lisa Harwood.  Final score was 5-1.  Player of the match was Mia Somers for fighting off many attacks.  DOD goes to Amy Forse for not being able to count to 11 and subbing herself on and off and on! 

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v Norwich City 5s:  Magpies 6s:  1-0

Goalscorer:  Gemma Ballard 
MOM: Emma Merryweather

Ladies 5s started their hockey Saturday with a minute’s silence with Magpies 6s. The game was a well fought battle with decent Dragon’ possession. Magpies 6s were a well drilled young team who were quick to fight back but Dragons held their own and a beautiful cross from Jane Wells to Gemma Ballard on the corner (signature move!) gave Dragons the lead which we held on to for a 1-0 win. Player of Match Emma for her hard work in mid.

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 1
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v Carrow:  1-6

Goalscorer: Jade Blanchflower
MOM:  Jade Blanchflower, Maddie Gibbs, Brittany Hopkins

Ladies’ 6s took on second in the league Carrow 1s in a dark, damp game. After a ropey start including not having a full team on the pitch and a bit of confusion about what was and wasn’t a match ball we got going and gave it our all.

A solid performance in the first half against a technically strong and tactical team saw the half time score at 0:2. After a motivational team talk at half time (thanks Anita Mancini), Dragons came out roaring and went on to score a beautiful goal from a short corner, a straight hit from myself which Jade Blanchflower swiftly tapped into the back of the net. Our confidence boosted we became more attacking as the game went on, which however left some gaps in the defence, which Carrow took advantage of. Final score was 1:6, however, overall a smashing performance and one to be proud of! 

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League, Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v Loddon 2s:  2-0

Goalscorer:  Claire Fairhurst, Orla Hardiman
MOM:  Paige Fisher

Dragons 7s played their best hockey yet this season winning against Loddon 2s. Scoring quickly in the first half and then following up with a second left Dragons to win 2-0.  Goals from Claire Fairhurst and Orla Harriman. All round excellent hockey, good use of Triangles (thanks Des). Man of the match well deserved by Paige who worked hard and placed the ball really well in midfield. First clean sheet and win of the season

MOM:  Ellie O’Kane, Karen Davidson

Ladies 8’s took on Carrow ladies 2’s on Saturday under a cold but brilliant blue sky, the sun shone and Langley school provided an idyllic backdrop on such a beautiful Autumn day.

Johanne Steward was captaining the team and one of her first words of advice to us all was to lose our base-layers! 

This was understandably met with a gasp and the obligatory “but it’s freeeeeezing!”

But not for the first time and definitely not the last Johanne was right! We only had eleven players and not a sub in sight, we were therefore on the move constantly and any chill was quickly forgotten. 

We played valiantly for the first 30 minutes and there was little difference in the standard of hockey between the two teams which was impressive considering this same Carrow team beat top of the table Watton 6-0 last weekend.

But then a  goal for Carrow brought the standard up a level! But as true Dragons, and not just any Dragons, but Awesome 8’s Dragons, we kept up the fight!

Esther Jacobs made some fantastic saves in goal and ‘unlucky’ (but only for a second) Johanne Steward playing in defence put her stick down to stop a goal which annoyingly flicked offf the wrong way and an own goal went in Carrow’s favour. But it needs to be said that Captain Johanne made up for it in spades in a similar situation in the second half and stopped the ball on the line with such strength, grit and determination, there was no way the same mistake was happening twice.

Johanne also played some great hockey in defence and stopped a lot of balls making into the oppositions D which were more often than not  picked up by Nic Harrison in midfield who could be seen running through Carrow players fast and skilfully on the wing. Nic is always noticeably enthusiastic and always gives it her ‘all’.

Karen Davidson played in defence and proved her weight in gold as she blocked numerous balls  and sent the ball out wide. Jo Lees was also kept busy, and at times seemed to appear from nowhere with her legendary clearance shots which saved the day on many occasions. 

Bridget Le Good was bottom of the diamond and the opposition soon scattered when she played one of her remarkable and accurate and EXTREMELY hard hits which flew out wide and up towards the Center line where Sadie Jacobs as left forward was ready with stick down to receive the ball. 

Louise Crouch was Center forward and was only to happy to drop back and help out in defence and quickly  learned to find a space and intercept the ball much to the annoyance of our opposition.

Shaniece Clayton was top of the diamond and as always played a high level of hockey, executing some beautiful stick skills and text book block tackles. 

We loved having Ellie O’Kane join us and she was an amazing mid fielder who moved like lightning, picking up balls and driving them forward with skill and confidence.

Emma Young was playing right forward and although we did get the ball into the D and we had a short corner in the first half, Carrow proved just a bit quick in their defence and we weren’t able to execute any accurate shots on goal although we gave it everything.

We were down to ten players in the second half due to injury, but we carried on with pace and determination and did not allow them to take advantage of this.The whole team gave it a 100% until the final whistle blew. 

The final score was 4-0 to Carrow Ladies 2’s.

We may not have won but the camaraderie and team spirit was totally awesome and I for one have never been prouder to wear the Dragon shirt alongside my team mates. Well played everyone!!

East League, Men’s 2N
Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Norwich City 2s:  0-4

MOM: Pedro Goss

A bad day at the office for Men’s 1s, starting slowly at Norwich City 2 and never recovering from their 3 goal headstart.

A much improved second half couldn’t find the goal to bring about the comeback, and City added a 4th from a corner.

East League, Men’s 3NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v  Norwich City 4s:  6-2

Goalscorers:  Alex Sharpe, Eddie Gould
MOM: Eddie Gould

Men’s 2nd team made the long journey to bottom of the league Norwich City 4s.

On the back of some strong form a win was inevitable.

Despite being away from home our travelling squad was strong and we even had substitutes.  There was a Dragons’ debut goal for Alex Sharpe – back-foot squeeze,  and one from Ed Gould – top of circle rocket through the keeper’s legs.

Goalscorer:  John Ives
MOM:  John Ives

Mens 3s had an early game against top of the league Newmarket 1s. With a few key players missing to injury or child birth including Mitch Smith with “ouchy ribs” and Joel Dennis falling to pieces it was always going to be a tough ask but Dragons got off to a flying start. “Experienced” forward Jon Ives scored half way through the first half to put the home side 1-0 up after weathering a serious storm in which keeper and captain fantastic Tom McLean made a number of impressive stops (if I may say so myself). The away side then scored from a good short corner routine near the end of the first half to take it to 1-1.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Norwich Exiles 1s:  2-3

Goalscorers:  Bobby Sheppard, Neil Shorten
MOM:  Dim Ives

Exiles started strongly as you would expect from a top of the table team. But a short corner strike from Neil Shorten saw Dragons take the lead.  Exiles rallied though and pulled one back before half time despite good saves from Dim Ives. The second half opened up and Exiles pulled 2 goals ahead via a great strike and a penalty stroke. Dragons didn’t give up and another goal from Bobby Sheppard meant the final 10 minutes of the game was in the balance. Exiles managed the game well at the end and Dragons couldn’t convert their chances. Well played all and great to see familiar faces #hockeyfamily MOM to Dim the cat Ives.

East League, Men’s 5NE
Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Magpies 5s:  4-0

Goalscorers:  Charlie Creasy, Dave King, Pete Latoy, Tom Bailey
MOM:  Shiv Kapur

Dragons 5s record their first win of the season with a brilliant team display. Four goal from four players (Peter Latoy, Charlie Creasy, Tom Bailey and Dave King)

East League, Men’s 5NE(N)
Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v  No fixture

Development Leagues

Dev Girls A v Dereham: 8-0

Goalscorers:  Freya D x2, India B, Mia N, Mia R
MOM:  Freya D

Dev Girls B v Yarmouth:  0-0

MOM:  Sophie Rice

Dev Girls B played a fantastic match away at a, for once sunny and pleasant, Yarmouth. With a good number of u12s stepping up, the girls fought hard against players in some cases nearly twice their height and considerably older than themselves. Everyone in the team showed some great passing skills, fearless tackling and super runs for each other. It was a thrilling game to watch, coach and manage, with some heart stopping moments at either end. A super 0-0 result for the team (though is it ok that I’m a little disappointed for the girls that they didn’t get a win, which would have been thoroughly deserved from the effort and work they put in?!) A deserved POM for Sophie Rice who made some great runs down the right from midfield to set up several chances at goals. Well played everyone & thank you to Amy Forse & Bridget Le Good for their help & being playing adults.

Dev Boys A v Dereham:  4-1

Goalscorers:  Rahul Kaushal, Will Sexton x3
MOM:  Rahul Kaushal

Dev Boys B v East Coast:  0-1

MOM:  Monty Patel

Dragons Dev Boys hosted East Coast Dev Boys at the Dragons den on Saturday the 9th November for a League match. The weather conditions where good and Dragons fielded an 11 boy team plus 1 adult player. East coast fielded a full squad of mixed age boys plus two adult players.

The first half was an even contest ending 0-0. Key learning points were for the back 3 to pivot and to avoid passes on the stick side of the opposition. The second half was equally close however East coast scored a goal in the 3rd quarter.  In the final quarter Dragons where able to push forward and a last minute short corner for Dragons could not be converted in to a goal.

A good effort from all players and lots to take away for the next match. The POM was Monty Patel.

Thank you to Natalie for organising and managing on the day. 

James Hollis