English Hockey League

Premier 1 

Saturday 16th April  2005

Ipswich v Sutton Coldfield

Won 6-2 ( K Spencer, C Gilliat-Smith (3), L Aldous, J Ellis)

Ipswich turned in a super six performance on Saturday beating Sutton Coldfield 6-2, much to the delight of the large home crowd and will go into the Super Cup Play-offs in 2 weeks time on a real high.

Ipswich Hockey Club 1st Team Super Cup Squad

Back Row 

Left to right: Donna Mills (Manger), Amy Tippen, Leisa King, Cath Gilliat-Smith, Karla Waddleton, Hannah Golding, Issy Sheldrake, Kirsten Spencer, Jo Ellis, Sandie Lister (coach), Nick Thompson (Coach)

Front Row

Left to Right: Charlotte Anderson, Vanessa Roberts, Vic Sandal (Captain, Lizzy Aldous (v.Captain), Tanya Barnard, Emma Millar, Millie Sharp, Becky Duggan (GK)

With Leicester claiming the title by romping to a 4-2 win against Chelmsford,  Ipswich had to settle for the runners up spot. Despite the disappointment at what might have been Ipswich only have to reflect on how far they have come in a season to register an immense feeling of pride in their performance so far. This time last season the team were lying in last place a long way a drift and only a league restructure saved them from relegation. This season Ipswich, boosted by the coaching of Sandie Lister and Nick Thompson and the arrival of Becky Duggan and Cath Gilliat-Smith,  have risen from the ashes and confounded many critics by finishing runners up in the Indoor and outdoor league.  With the Super Cup at Guildford  still to come and a European slot still up for grabs the Suffolk club are hopeful of a dream finish to their season.

Saturday saw Ipswich keen to start on the front foot and with Sutton fielding a injury hit team it was obvious that the home team were controlling the game. Some great play by Ipswich was only lacking the final touch and with the visitors defending deep it took 14 minutes for the home side to open the scoring,  leading goal scorer Cathy Gilliat-Smith putting the final touch to a short corner routine.  4 minutes later and she was at it again, a dummy and then a calm finish leaving the Sutton defence bamboozled to make it 2-0.  Sutton to their credit kept on battling and were rewarded with a short corner during one of their infrequent attacks. The subsequent shot looked to be far too high but retiring umpire Margaret Hunnaball decided otherwise and Sutton were handed a disputed lifeline.

A quick reminder at half time of patterns of play saw Ipswich start the second half with renewed vigour and Gilliat-Smith completed her hat trick on the 38th minute, pouncing on the rebound from a Leisa King drag flick.  Sutton again gamely kept working and Ipswich keeper Becky Duggan had to be alert several times to keep the visitors out. On the 52nd minute Ipswich defender Kirsten Spencer scored her 2nd goal in 2 games, first to react to a short corner rebound the tenacious defender made no mistake form 5 yards out to make it 4-1 to the home side.3 minutes later and Lizzy Aldous made it 5, again another short corner move. Sutton did pull another goal back on the 60th minute but Ipswich had the last word with the best goal of the day. Captain Vic Sandall and Jo Ellis combining down the left to leave Ellis with a difficult near post shot. The England star made no mistake rifling in an undercut tot he top fat corner to make it 6-2.

A positive display for the Suffolk team and one that sees them enter the Super Cup in buoyant mood.

Ipswich play Canterbury in the first game at 11.00 am on Saturday 30th April and all supporters are welcome. More match information and ticket details can be found at www.ipswichockeyclub.co.uk

U18 Plate semi final

Sunday 17th April  2005

Ipswich v Taunton Vale

Won 3-1  ( C Anderson, A Tippen, B Golding

On a beautiful warm and sunny Spring day Ipswich welcomed opponents Taunton Vale to Henley Road for a crucial semi final. Defending Champions Ipswich were able to field a full squad for the first time this season and  in such hot conditions the substitutions were vital. 

Ipswich started very well pinning back the visitors into their circle and only some good defending and some bear misses saw the game remain 0-0. After 10 minutes though Taunton began to find their feet and the experienced  Ipswich duo of Charlie Anderson  and Amy Tippen were needed to to make some timely tackles.

Amy Tippen

Ipswich finally broke through after a deflected ball was stopped on the line by a Taunton head, harsh as it seems a penalty stroke was correctly awarded and 1st team defender Charlie Anderson. With nerves of steel the captain calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Ipswich were now flying and 10 minutes later it was another 1st team defender this time Amy Tippen who made it 2-0. A well struck short corer giving the keeper little chance.

Charlie Anderson

The second half saw Ipswich again dominate and Beth Golding was unlucky to see her goal disallowed for an infringement. Ipswich continued to play some great team hockey, and were rewarded with their 3rd goal. An Amy Tippen reverse stick shot deflected in by the alert Beth Golding.  Taunton to their credit though kept on working and managed to grab a good goal back.  However it was obviously that Ipswich were more than capable of controlling the game and this they did to see out time and claim a place in the final and the chance to defend their title.

East Vets League

Sat 16th April

Ipswich v Waveney

Won 2-1 (Gray, Curzon)

Ipswich welcomed Waveney to Tuddenham Road and as usual this was a closely fought encounter. The home side who are planning their annual trip to Holland in June, hope to have a number of fixtures so that they can keep at peek performance and fitness, and aim to retain the trophy. Ipswich began well with Bryce in particular causing all sorts of problems with his pace and close control, but a constant supply of crosses were scrambled clear until Gray ghosting forward from the back finished clinically from a move he started. Glading who had a quite day, was unlucky however, when the goalkeeper made an excellent save and then was denighed by the post.



Waveney were spurred on, in particular by Sampson, who was excellent throughout, but it was Ipswich who increased their lead. Ipswich man of the match, Curzon, converting. Waveney came into the game in the dying minutes and reduced the lead with well placed deflection from the left but Ipswich held on to record another victory.