Hockey in focus

Dereham 3, Ipswich 4

A BREATH-TAKING game at Littlefields ebbed and flowed throughout.

Dereham applied early pressure but were unable to take advantage. Will Edwards and Mark Timm dominated the midfield battle, allowing Sam Plater and Laurie Hill to attack with pace from either side.

Ipswich struck with a counter-attack from the halfway line, finishing from the top of the D.

Further attacks were thwarted by a solid Dereham defence. Ipswich started to win short corners, the second of which was finished with a devastating drag flick high to the keeper's right.

Dereham pulled a goal back after quick thinking from Richard Timm freed Sam Plater on the right to waltzed through four Ipswich defenders before unleashing a thunderous reverse-stick shot.

Ipswich were quick to recover, and another short corner was finished with similar aplomb. Dereham were 3-1 down at half-time despite playing the lion's share of the hockey.

The second half was just as frenetic with Dereham immediately pressing. It was 20 minutes into the half before Dereham broke down the defence and eventually won a penalty stroke. Michael Timm buried the flick.

Ipswich scored what turned out to be the winner in controversial circumstances. As the aerial ball was sent forward, there appeared to be a push on Andy Lawrence, and both Richard Timm and Tom Vaughan were caught waiting for a whistle which never materialised as the Ipswich forward finished.

Dereham again pulled a goal back through a blistering strike from the top of the D by captain Mark Timm.

Michael Timm went closest to an equaliser when he chose to shoot rather than square the ball to Mark Hunter, only to see the ball agonisingly cleared off the goal line by two scrambling defenders.

Dereham Ladies IV 2, Thetford II 0

DEREHAM for the first 15 minutes struggled against the Thetford midfield.

Player-of-the-match Hannah Dewing found space on the right wing but crosses were picked up by the Thetford defence.

Fran Leverett and Emma Milton were key to the Dereham defence making crucial tackles and sweeping the ball to safety.

Liz Tarry made two critical saves. At the other end Dereham were awarded short corners and on the fourth occasion, five minutes from half-time, Dewing struck the injection cleanly and found the back board.

A reshuffle of positions showed positive results in the second half. Dewing was moved into the centre midfield position and she created more opportunities for the Dereham forwards.

Thetford were still creating opportunities but Sam Colman lifted her game and she and Fran Grapes made solid clearances. With 10 minutes to go, Dereham secured their lead with a shot by Jackie Taylor from a rebound.

Squad: Emily Barnard, Roxy Bemrose, Courtney Brown, Sam Colman, Hannah Dewing, Fran Grapes, Kim Hazell, Fran Leverett, Emma Milton, Beth Redpath, Liz Tarry, Jackie Taylor, Paige Thompson.

Dereham Colts III 4, Thetford 2

Both teams started fast, however Dereham began to push further into Thetford's half and stole two convincing strikes at goal which were well deflected and play switched seamlessly towards Dereham's half.

Emily Crisp skilfully kept the ball out of the D. Despite some brilliant play, Thetford worked the ball into Dereham's D and scored.

Dereham struck back hard, scoring through Ellie Boyce and play was kept predominantly in Thetford's half.

From a short corner Charlotte Reeve scored the second for Dereham.

Thetford kept Dereham's defence busy until half-time.

Within 15 minutes of the second half both Thetford and Dereham had scored, leaving the score at 3-2.

After some brilliantly play and skilful passing, Zoe Leverett scored Dereham's fourth goal.

Lowestoft Railway 2, Reepham Ladies 2

A big boost for Reepham in their Division One game was the return of Jane Proctor who missed all last season through a knee injury.

Proctor soon settled into a role to support Katie Lake up front and they created a lot of early chances. They scored one apiece to give Reepham a great start. Lowestoft pulled one goal back before half-time from a short- corner strike.

The second half was pinned into Reepham's defensive half as Lowestoft were awarded countless short corners. The Reepham defence grew increasingly frustrated by the bombardment but stuck to their task.

Lowestoft cored their equaliser from one of their many short corners. Reepham began to break out of their half and in a one-on-one were foiled by the keeper's outstretched body.