With half term hitting squad availability hard plus the culmination of injuries at the top end of the Club over recent weeks, Dragons travelled to Colchester with just 3 of their regular players. This gave well deserved Dragons East League debuts for Goalkeeper Luisa Valentini, Forwards Lucy Morton and Jess Haw, as well as welcome returns for Hannah Ellis, Carmel Windsor-Waite, Sophie Barrow and Angela Murgatroyd.

The visitors warmed up well and when the game got underway they were immediately on the front foot, forcing Colchester deep and looking to attack, largely through the dominant figure of Emma Tabrett and Captain Karen O’Neill Simpson, who were consistently winning the 50 / 50 balls in the centre of the pitch. Despite having the lions share of possession, Dragons defence needed to remain alert. Carmel Windsor-Waite was having an assured start to the game at right defence, anticipating attacks down the left and cutting out the danger early.

After creating a few opportunities through Hannah Ellis in left midfield, finding the willing forward runs of Lucy Morton, Jess Haw and Harriet Green, Dragons eventually forced their first short corner. The partnership of Karen O’Neill Simpson and Emma Tabrett came to the fore, with Tabrett letting fly with a drag flick past the keeper for the lead. Not long after, a second short corner for Dragons, the same combination and after an initial save from the keeper, Emma Tabrett swiftly reacted to the rebound with a reverse stick strike into the corner to double the lead before the break, a lead the visitors deserved.

Dragons talked at half-time about maintaining the pressure and continuing to win the 50 – 50 balls. Colchester started the half the brighter of the teams and the defensive line of Carmel Windsor-Waite, Angela Murgatroyd and Tash Falzon had to work hard to keep their clean sheet intact, whilst Luisa Valentini in goal was extremely assured in dealing with a number of sharp strikes. Colchester were earning a number of short corners, which Carmel and Karen broke down strongly. Eventually however, the home team scored through a lifted ball into the D, finally being forced home.

Dragons weathered the storm and started to get their game together again – Sophie Barrow, Harriet Green, Hannah Ellis and Jess Haw harried the home team defence and broke down play well, whilst Lucy Morton continued to make intelligent runs and was linking up well with Hannah Hardy on the forward line.

Chances came and went to increase the lead and make the game a little more comfortable for the visitors, as whilst there was just one goal in it, anything could happen. The final whistle went with Dragons sealing the victory, which was deserved on the balance of play. Emma Tabrett earned PoM with her goals and her relentless work rate, but mention must go to the whole squad (especially those making their East League debuts), who had in the main, never played a competitive league game together, but who worked extremely hard for each other and happily headed up the A12 with the points, to take them to 3rd in the league.
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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division

Norwich Dragons Ladies 3s v 

no fixture

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division

Norwich Dragons Ladies 4s v 

no fixture

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Premier Division
Norwich Dragons Ladies 5s v 

no fixture

Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 2
Norwich Dragons Ladies 6s v

no fixture

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Empresa Norfolk Women’s League,  Division 3

Norwich Dragons Ladies 7s v

no fixture

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Empress Norfolk Women’s League, Division 3

Norwich Dragons Ladies 8s v

no fixture

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 2N

Norwich Dragons Men’s 1s v Pelicans:  5-6

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE

Norwich Dragons Men’s 2s v IES 2s:  4-4

The highly anticipated match between the top two Div 3 teams started off with high-quality possession from Dragons but they failed to penetrate the IES defence. It was then with a counterattacking move that IES managed to win the first short corner of game which ended up in the roof of the Dragons net. A battle then developed in midfield with teams struggling to create attacking moves into the danger zones. It was only when Dragons were awarded a short corner just before half time, that they managed to strike an equalizer to take it level going into the break.

In the second half IES came out of the blocks lightening fast and in the space of 10 minutes two more IES short corners and an aerial attack ended up in the top corner of the goal.

Dragons looked shell-shocked and needed to respond… which they did with captain Richard Moulson taking the lead and firing a rebounded short corner to make it 4-2. With impetus restored and Dragons full of energy, adding plenty of pressure to IES defence for the final quarter of the game. Dragons converted a short and also worked the ball through a crowded D for Alex Browne to slap into the net to complete his hat-trick.

The final whistle blew and the game ended 4-4 with IES and Dragons sharing the points,  probably a fair result for both teams.

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 3NE

Norwich Dragons Men’s 3s v Norwich City 4s:  1-1

Dragons 3s fully embraced the Halloween theme for their local derby with Norwich City 4s.

First up in fancy dress were the Goodson boys, all three of whom had spent the previous day at the Norwich Beer Festival. Groaning, red eyed, white faced and leaving a smell of death in their wake, the three zombies shuffled onto the pitch intimidating the Norwich boys from the outset.

However there would be worse foes for the city boys to face that afternoon…..

Mild mannered accountant Joel Dennis doesn’t seem like someone to be scared of but one brave city forward decided to push our mr nice about…a big mistake. The sun set, clouds parted and a full moon rose in the sky. An angry werewolf appeared in Joel’s place and it took all of Umpire Gallop’s silver bullets to calm the situation down.

Unfortunately Phil Good was caught in the crossfire, taking one in the calf and having to hobble off the pitch, his face as pale as a ghost. Get well soon Phil!

However, Dragons were eager for blood and continually pressed forward, intent on feasting on City’s lifeless corpse.

Fantastic work by our little goblin sprite Jonno Chaney-makethemwearbibs-Baxter resulted in Wizard (Matt) Jenkins scoring an excellent ghoul from a tight angle.

Half time came with Chief Warlock John Ives urging the team to keep the cauldron bubbling and not to change the potion.

Meanwhile City had regrouped and armed with bunches of garlic, put the Dragons ghoul under intense pressure. Freak of the match, Ben Nkrumah put in a bewitching performance and repelled numerous attempts from prospective Van Helsing’s to pierce the Dragon’s hearts.

However it couldn’t last with City, taking a leaf from the Dragons Halloween approach, weaving a mystical short corner spell which ended with a forward ghosting in at the far post and nabbing an equaliser.

Full time – 1 all – goodness and evil sharing the points in a (cos this is) Thriller.

A good performance from the team which certainly raised everyone’s spirits.

Men’s East Hockey League Division 4NE

Norwich Dragons Men’s 4s v Magpies 4s:  2-0

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 5NE

Norwich Dragons Men’s 5s v Dereham 3s:  0-0

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Men’s East Hockey League, Division 6NE(N)

Norwich Dragons Men’s 6s v North Norfolk 3s:  1-3

Once more the Mens 6s faced a team that were in the division above us last season and although given a tough game, continued to work hard trying for the elusive first win of the season. North Norfolk came with a mixture of experienced and new players but had two strong midfielders who could control play for them when needed. The first half was a relatively even affair with Dragons not quite able to consistently run the ball into the North Norfolk 25m area. Dan Murphy and Rob Lee tried to make a breakthrough but unfortunately North Norfolk counter attacked and scored with a well taken goal 10 minutes before half time. Dragons came back strongly, going close to bringing it level, but went into the break 0-1 down.

Re-starting the game with renewed vigour, Bobby Sheppard managed to pounce when a Dragons shot was parried by the North Norfolk keeper. As the keeper hit the floor, the ball came loose at his feet and Sheppard drew it back, sidestepped and fired it into the North Norfolk goal to level the score. This was Bobby’s first goal at Adult level and a well taken one at that. North Norfolk rallied again and in the space of 10 minutes were able to pull ahead and score twice, beginning to make it look like the game could be out of reach of the Dragons 6’s team. Although we applied considerable pressure in the final 10 minutes, winning several penalty corners, we were unable to make the break through, and the final score was a win for North Norfolk by 3 goals to 1.

Thanks must go to all the team for another resilient display and to James King who made some good saves under pressure. Man of the match was awarded to Mike Banham for a strong game in defence, playing in the Sweeper position.

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Dragons Dev Boys A 

no fixture

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Dragons Dev Boys B 

no fixture

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Dragons Dev Girls 

no fixture

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