Hockey round-up

Canterbury II 2, Dereham Ladies 2

Dereham came away from Women's East League Premier Division leaders Canterbury II with a hard-fought draw after twice surrendering the lead.

Dereham were disappointed not to have more than a point to show for their efforts - but they remain handily placed in the table, just three points behind the Kent outfit with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Injury-ravaged Dereham went into the lead against the run of play with a fine goal from Hannah Palmer, but after facing some 16 short corners in a row they conceded a goal.

Dereham hit back immediately with a breakaway goal from Mary Ralph, who slotted in a great pass from Evie Gardner, but due to poor marking Dereham conceded an equaliser.

Bishop's Stortford 1, Dereham 3

In the Men's East League Premier Division, Dereham's first game since the return of Peter Hogg for a second stint as coach yielded all three points.

Keen to maintain the impressive form they had shown before the break, Dereham came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders.

Michael Timm broke free and slotted home through the oncoming keeper's legs. Stortford equalised through a penalty stroke. The visitors had numerous opportunities to add to their tally, but found man of the match Tom Vaughan in inspired form in the Dereham goal.

Dereham started the second half brightly and Will Edwards quickly drove through the centre of the midfield to win a penalty stroke, which was coolly slotted home by Timm.

Their third goal came with just over 10 minutes to go when Timm chased down what seemed like a lost cause. His shot deflected up in the air across the D and Andy Howarth smashed home the volley.

The win took Dereham up to the heady heights of eighth place in the table, with 13 points from 12 games.

Cambridge City III 3, Dereham II 5

IN East Men's Hockey League Division 2N, Dereham were a bit ring rusty and fell behind to a drag-flicked short corner after five minutes.

Dereham equalised within 15 seconds of an inspired substitution as John Allison raced down the right wing and crossed for Ian Gibb, who slotted home low under the keeper to score his first goal in seven games.

Dereham went ahead after a superb team move saw the ball being brought out of defence by Stuart Dix before swift passing again released John Allison down the right. His pass to Ian Gibb set up a first-time shot well saved by a defender before the ball fell to Graeme Campbell. He pounced with a thumping reverse-stick thunderbolt into the backboard of the goal.

Just before half-time Cambridge won a second corner and again found the net with a drag-flick.

The game turned with the award of a penalty to Dereham as Mark Braybrook's flick was stopped by the last defender on the goal line with his body. John Allison sent the keeper the wrong way with a powerful flick into the side of the goal.

Dereham continued to dominate the second half as veteran Bill Longworth soaked up any attacking presence down the left. A marauding run from James Nash was ended by a cynical tackle giving Dereham their first penalty corner and Mark Braybrook smashed the ball down the middle, putting Dereham 4-2 ahead.

Dereham went 5-2 up moments after as Graeme Campbell scored from a similar penalty corner. With minutes left Cambridge scored a consolation from another drag flick but Dereham continued their quest for promotion.

Dereham III 2, Panthers 5.

Panthers started solidly, and with only minutes on the clock, Tracy Toyn and Zoe Gotts scored two great goals.

Dereham fought back immediately, broke from the halfway line and scored from a deflection off Panthers' defence.

Panthers answered with a further flawless goal from Becky Amies who had received a strong pass from Zoe Gotts.

At the start of the second half, Dereham strengthened their defence, created more opportunitiesand scored their second goal. Panthers raised their game again, and scored a further goal.

Players of the match: Zoe Gotts and Becky Amies.