28th February 2005

Ladies held to a draw as Men's party is postponed.

The Ladies 1's had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with old rivals Slough n Saturday.  A disappointing result but Ipswich still lead the table by one point from Leicester.  With 2 home games to come Ipswich will be looking to pick up 6 points as the run in for the title heats up .The Men's 1's were forced to postpone their game and a potential league win due to the snowy weather.  The Ladies 2's also had to postpone their crucial game. The  Men's 2's  will be pleased their game went ahead as they beat Norwich City 4-3 to gain valuable points that looks likely to keep them in Premier B for next season. The Ladies 3's lost 4-0 to 2nd placed Southend and will be disappointed with the result. A nice sight to see Jo Thompson in goal for them though!. The Men's 3's lost to local rivals Sudbury  5-2 and need another win to keep them safe for next season.  The Ladies 4's  game was postponed again this. The Men's 4's  local derby game v Chelmsford 4's was also a victim of the waether. .Finally the Men's Vets do not have a game.

Sunday  U18 girls game v Broxbourne was postponed for the 2nd week running. They Ladies 2's game v Woking 1a's in the 2nd team Cup was also a casualty.

With so many games hit by the weather their is real pressure on several sides to fit them in. All re-arranged games will appear on the site as son as agreed.  Please don't forget to inform your league and umpires!

A frustrating weekend for the Ladies 1's but the title destiny still lies within their own hands. The Men too will be frustrated looking forward to clinching the title at home but no doubt they would enjoy clinching at old rivals Crostyx this Saturday as well!

24th February 2005

Gilliat-Smith scores for England

Ipswich striker Cath Gilliat-Smith continued her goal scoring spree with a goal for England as they beat hosts Spain 4-0 in Valencia yesterday. The 2 sides meet again on Friday morning before they fly home.

Gilliat-Smith, along with fellow England team mates, Jo Ellis, Leisa King and Beccy Duggan will  be available for the Ipswich squad to play Slough on Saturday.

24th February 2005

A chance for revenge for the Ladies , while the Men can claim the title.

The Ladies 1's travel to Slough, well aware that they cannot afford to slip up. Having lost to Slough back in October outdoors and in the Indoor final earlier this month the Suffolk side will be keen to claim a victory this time. The Men's 1's face a west Herts side that they beat 3-1 in the reverse fixture and the team know that a victory here would see them secure a 7th east title and more importantly a return to National League hockey. The Ladies 2's after a week off face a massive game against bottom side Dereham .  They know that they must get 3 points here to keep them away from relegation danger. The  Men's 2's  face Norwich City and need some points . The Ladies 3's also had a weekend off but are looking forward to getting back into action against Southend. they lost 4-1 in the reverse fixture but are a much changed side this time round. The Men's 3's play another local rival in the shape of Sudbury and know this will be a tough test.  The Ladies 4's  game last weekend was postponed because of the weather so they will be keen to get back to action against 3rd placed Lowestoft 2's. Having lost 10-1 in the reverse fixture this will be a tough test of the 4's unbeaten run in  2005. The Men's 4's face a local derby game v Chelmsford 4's and are still looking for that first win. .Finally the Men's Vets do not have a game.

Sunday sees the U18 girls take  on Broxbourne in their re-arranged game from last weekend. They play after the Ladies 2's who face holders Woking 1a's in the 2nd team Cup.

Another huge weekend for the Men's and Ladies 1's both of whom sit at the top of their respective tables. The first time that has happened since the clubs merged 3 years ago. Also a massive weekend for the relegation battling Ladies 2's, who must win against Dereham on Saturday. On Sunday they have some light relief from league pressures with the 2nd team Cup, a good win here would boost the spirits.

20th February 2005

A perfect weekend for top sides as both sit top of the league.

The Ladies 1's broke Essex rivals Chelmsford's hearts on Saturday with a winning goal scored with 30 seconds left on the clock. The win saw Ipswich leapfrog over Chelmsford to take a 2 points lead at the top of the English Premier 1 table. With a game in hand over their Essex Neighbours Ipswich will be looking to move further way from them with a win over old adversaries Slough on Saturday. The Men's 1's hammered Cambridge City 7-0, and are now within 3 points of claiming the league title and automatic Promotion back into National League. The Ladies 2's had a weekend off. The  Men's 2's  faced Cambridge University 2's and lost out 5-2. The Ladies 3's also had a weekend off.  The Men's 3's faced a local Derby game against IES side and as in the reverse fixture it was a 1-1 draw, keeping IES in the relegation zone.  The Ladies 4's  game against  Carlton Park 2's, was postponed. The Men's 4's played Essex side Crostyx 3's awaiting result .Finally the Men's Vets played Bedford and drew 2-2,a  god result after going 2-0 down.

Sunday sees the U18 girls and U18 boys taking on Broxbourne and Stevenage respectively in the National Plate competitions. Please note Both games were postponed due to bad weather.

A great weekend for the Ladies and Men's 1st teams and a proud moment to see both of them at the top of their respective leagues.

20th February 2005

King gets England call up.

Due to an injury to Alex Danson Ipswich star Leisa King has been called in as a replacement to the England senior squad that travels to Spain this week for a series of training sessions and games in Valencia. King was not initially selected as she only made a decision to continue with International hockey after the initial squad was selected. Leisa joins her 3 other Ipswich team mates, Cath Gilliat-Smith, Beccy Duggan and Jo Ellis for the 5 day camp. 

16th February 2005

Ladies 1's face top of the table derby clash as Men face Cambridge City.

The Ladies 1's welcome local Essex rivals Chelmsford to Tuddenham Road on Saturday knowing that a win would see them move 2 points clear at the top of the EHL Premier I and still with a game in hand. There is no doubt this is a crucial game for both sides and a highly charged game is expected.  Ipswich won the last encounter 1-0.The Men's 1's travel to 6th placed Cambridge City, having beaten them 3-1 in the reverse fixture the Suffolk side will be looking for another 3 points here, leaving them needing only 3 points more to clinch the title. The Ladies 2's have a weekend off. The  Men's 2's  face Cambridge University 2's, who sit 3 places above them. A 4-1 loss in the last fixture should warn Ipswich that this will be a tough game. The Ladies 3's also have a weekend off.  The Men's 3's like the Ladies 1's face a derby game against an IES side that won it's first game last weekend. Ipswich will want the 3 points to keep them out of a relegation battle..  The Ladies 4's  on a 4 game unbeaten run in 2005 face  a tough game against 5th placed Carlton Park 2's, who they lost 4-0 to back in November. The Men's 4's play Essex side Crostyx 3's who have only won  1 game so now could be the weekend for the 4's to grab that first win. with .Finally the Men's Vets do not have a game.

Sunday sees the U18 girls and U18 boys taking on Broxbourne and Stevenage respectively in the National Plate competitions.

A massive weekend for the Ladies 1's  so please come along and support the team.  Also big games for the Men's 1's and 3's.

14th February 2005

King crowns International decision with 2 goals

After a long hard decision Leisa King has decided to continue with her International career and along with 5 other players has been welcomed  back into the England Training squad by new coach Danny Kerry. King joins Ipswich team mates, Beccy Duggan, Jo Ellis and Cath Gilliat-Smith in the squad and all are aiming to be selected for the upcoming Champions Challenge in the USA in July, followed by the European nations in Dublin in August.

You can read about Leisa's thoughts here.

14th February 2005

Ladies 1's earn vital point as Men hammer Pelicans.

The Ladies 1's  did not play their best but earned a valuable draw away at Olton on Sat. Olton took a 2-0 lead but Ipswich battled hard to force their way back into the game and had a chance to steal 3 points at the final whistle but it was not to be. Thoughts now turn to the crunch derby game v Chelmsford on Saturday. The Men's 1's destroyed 2nd bottom side Pelicans 10-2 and are only 2 more wins from National League Promotion. Celebrations were muted though as Simon Miller fractured his cheekbone in 3 places and will play not further part in the campaign. The Ladies 2's know they let themselves down with a disappointing 6-0 loss to Crostyx. Fighting for their Premier survival they have a weekend off before they face Bottom side Dereham whom they need to beat to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up. The  Men's 2's  lost the Derby game against Bury St Edmunds going down 1-0.  They too need a win to remove nay treat of relegation. The Ladies 3's at last got back to winning ways with a good 2-0 victory over 5th placed Colchester.  The Men's 3's lost 5-1 to UEA and will be disappointed as they need a win to keep them moving the right way up the table.  The Ladies 4's  beat Stour Valley 2-0 to remain unbeaten in 2005, a cracking turn around for the 4's . The Men's 4's unfortunately are still winless, losing 5-0 to Dunmow 2's.Finally the Men's Vets reclaimed some Club pride in their 5-2 Derby Game victory over Bury St Edmunds.

Almost a clean sweep for the Ladies and a cracking result for the Men's 1's. Next weekend sees a huge game for the Ladies 1's and with it the opportunity for them to emulate the men and go  top of the table.

10th February 2005

Ladies 1's face another tricky game as Men are 3 steps from Heaven

The Ladies 1's upbeat after a good victory over Canterbury, face a tough match against Olton on Sat. Olton have signed ex-England striker Denise Marston-Smith and are a very talented attacking side. Ipswich though will be looking to repeat their 6-3 victory that the achieved back in October. The Men's 1's play second bottom side Pelicans, whom they beat 8-3 in the reverse fixture. With only 3 wins needed to secure Promotion Ipswich know they cannot afford to slip up here. The Ladies 2's are in a real dog fight to avoid relegation and have to pick up 3 points when they play mid-table Crostyx. A win here would set them up for their vital game against bottom side Dereham in 2 weeks time. The  Men's 2's  face  a Derby game against Bury St Edmunds only 2 points above them in the table. With a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture this is likely to be a close game. The Ladies 3's back in the points face a tough game against 5th placed Colchester. The 3's won the reverse fixture 2-1.   The Men's 3's back in form face mid-table UEA and after losing 7-6 (!) in the reverse fixture this has the makings of a cracking game.  The Ladies 4's  remain unbeaten for 2005 and will fight hard against a Stour Valley team only 2 points above them.  . The Men's 4's play Dunmow 2's and will be fighting for that first win. Finally the Men's Vets do not have a game.

A big weekend for the Men's and Ladies 1's at the top of the table and the Ladies 2's at the other end!  

2nd February 2005

Ladies 1's go so close Indoors but get 3 points outdoors as Men are 9 points from National League.

The Ladies 1's gave it their all over the weekend and were 10 minutes from a European place but it was not to be as they lost out 5-3 to a resurgent Slough team in the Final of the Higgins Indoor Championships.  Having dispatched Bowdon Hightown 5-2  and with Slough seeing of Chelmsford the final was one that the majority would not have expected to see.  Ipswich started the better and at one point where 3 -1 up before their exertions caught up with them.  Sunday saw Ipswich welcome Canterbury to Tuddenham road and the team were keen to continue where they left off in 04. The subsequent 2-1 victory keeps them in 2nd place 1 point behind Chelmsford.  The 2 sides play each other in a fortnight . The Men's 1's faced  Broxbourne and even though they did not play well took 3 points with a 3-2 win.  Another 3 wins would see them as Champions and secure them a place in the National League next season. The Ladies 2's travelled to 2nd placed Sevenoaks and will be disappointed with their 4-1 loss. They must now start collecting points as only goal difference keeps them out of the relegation places. The  Men's 2's  played 3rd placed Bourne at home and lost out 4-1.   The Ladies 3's got back in the points as they drew 1-1 with  Dereham 2's.   The Men's 3's turned in a cracking performance to hold second placed Cambridge City 2's 2-2. The point could be vital as they too aim to stay out of the relegation battle.  The Ladies 4's  remain unbeaten for 2005 as they drew 1-1 with Grasshoppers 2's . The Men's 4's lost out 3-0 to the University of Essex. Finally the Men's Vets defeated  Chelmsford 7-4.

So close for the Ladies 1's Indoors but a great performance non the less. A win outdoors was the perfect tonic as they now concentrate on Outdoor honours. The Men 1's  too will be looking to claim their honours in the next 3 games as they aim for a return to national league hockey. A mixed bag for the rest of the sides but great to see the ladies 4's keep up their unbeaten status in 05.

2nd February 2005

Ladies 1's aim for double success as Men aim to hammer Broxbourne

The Ladies 1's face a massive weekend ahead as they play in the National Indoor Finals night on Friday then play 5th placed Canterbury at home on Sunday.  Friday sees them take on Bowdon Hightown, with the winner playing either Chelmsford or Slough.  An East Anglian Derby would certainly make a interesting final!   Sunday will prove another tough test as Canterbury, unlike Ipswich have already played a competitive outdoors game. With leaders Chelmsford playing 3rd placed Slough Ipswich know they need 3 points to let them take advantage of any slip ups.  The Men's 1's travel away to a Broxbourne side that they beat 7-0 in their previous game. Another win here would see them move 6 points away form the title. The Ladies 2'sface a difficult game in the shape of 2nd placed Sevenoaks and will want to come back form Kent with some points. The  Men's 2's  keen to get back to winning ways play 3rd placed Bourne at home.   The Ladies 3's also keen to find that winning feeling face Dereham 2's and after beating them 3-1 in the reverse fixture should be capable of 3 points again.   The Men's 3's know that they need points to keep them out of the drop zone but they face a tough game in the shape of second placed Cambridge City 2's.  The Ladies 4's  could extend their winning run to 3 games as they play a Grasshoppers 2's team that they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture.. The Men's 4's are still fighting hard and face the University of Essex. Finally the Men's Vet's play local rivals Chelmsford.

A HUGE weekend for the Ladies 1's aiming to bring the  National Indoor Title back to Ipswich for the first time since 1990. Then a crunch game on Sunday v Canterbury.  The other top games are Men's 1's and Ladies 2's as both need the points for different reasons!

1st February 2005

3 Ipswich players get England call.

Jo Ellis, Cath Gilliat-Smith and Beccy Duggan have been included in England Senior squad for  two practice matches against Spain in Valencia later this month. The Team will travel out on 21st to 25th February and will make use of new High Performance Centre in Spain. 

1st February 2005

Ladies 1's look forward to the BIG NITE IN

The  Ladies 1's are training hard as the countdown begins to their Indoor National semi-final at Crystal Palace on Friday 4th Feb.

Ipswich face Bowdon Hightown in the second Women's semi-final at 18.30.

The team have a new Shirt Sponsor for the event in the shape of long time club supporters AM Design. Thank you to them and our existing Sponsors, Slazenger and Corus Hotels.