Hockey focus

UEA Women 0, North Walsham Ladies 1

NORTH Walsham Ladies won easily, although the scoreline was not reflective of the opportunities they created, to complete three wins back to back.

North Walsham began competitively, rarely allowing UEA out of their half, with strong, pacy wing play on both sides of the field.

The breakthrough came from quick build-up play on the right after a free-hit caught UEA off-guard and Ellen Vanlint fired past the keeper from the edge of the circle on a tight angle.

Despite several short corner opportunities, North Walsham, were unable to extend their lead.

The second half saw Walsham generate many scoring chances, but again they struggled to put any away and UEA became more confident and attacked in a very open period of play, but also failed to create clear opportunities.

Overall, Walsham deserved the win although they were disappointed not to add more goals in the second half.

Team: Marie Meale, Jo Hadley, Min Tallowin, Nicky Pye, Sarah Powell, Lucy Spencer, Charlotte Else, Jenny Marshall, Jo Todd, Ellen Vanlint, Julie Mercer, Sue Gardiner.

Nth Walsham Men's III 2, Nth Walsham Men's IV 2

Both teams fought hard with excellent passing play, from all and neither wanted to be the first to concede.

Walsham III attacked hard, but Walsham IV defended well with a strong back line.

Walsham III worked well to break through the strong defence and scored from a good strike to go into the lead.

Walsham IV fought hard in the second half, making some good attacking runs. They were rewarded with an equaliser from John Gardiner.

Both teams continued to play good passing hockey and Walsham III finally broke down the strong defence a second time and went 2-1 up.

Walsham IV continued to attack hard and were rewarded with an excellent equaliser from Jamie Nibari.

The game was well fought by sides playing good team passing hockey.

Reepham Ladies 5, UEA II 1

AN impressive Reepham performance on Saturday proved too strong for UEA.

A close-first half saw Reepham patient in their build-up play as they worked their way through UEA's midfield. As their work rate stepped up they created more chances.

Dawn Fisher again opened the Reepham scoring with a great shot from a tight angle.

Reepham have been working on their short-corner routines in training and they looked more confident in their approach to them. Abi Grand scored Reepham's second from a rehearsed short-corner routine. UEA stunned them with a goal on the stroke of half-time.

UEA came out strongly in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Reepham weathered the storm well.

Reepham worked their way back to command the remainder of the second half.

Abi Grand was involved in Reepham's third when she crossed from a near-impossible angle for Katie Lake to hit home.

Dawn Fisher scored her second and Reepham's fourth from a practiced short corner.

Reepham were one move ahead of UEA in all areas.

Their final goal came when Katie Lake pushed the ball through the keeper's legs. Reepham welcomed back Naiomi Summers who did a sterling job in defence in the second half when she cleared a certain goal off the line.

Panthers Ladies 1, Norwich City Ladies 1

PANTHERS entertained Norwich City at Sheringham with two key players missing but still put out a strong team hoping to follow up their previus week's win.

Despite some really hard work up front from their captain Gail Rudd and Becky Amies it was due to some good defending from Donna Mears and Michaela Bone and some excellent saves from their keeper Natalie Scurll that Panthers were level at 0-0 at half-time.

Panthers really upped their game second half and despite some good play, especially from newcomer Lucy Birnie, a goal did not look like coming coming, until five minutes from time. Becky Amies passed into the D for Tracy Toyn to slot home.

Panthers could not hold out and an excellent strike only seconds from full-time gave City the equaliser.