English's Hockey League Premier Division

 Hightown v BTexact Ipswich

Result: drew 3-3  (scorers: J Ellis,  K Spencer, L Aldous)

BTexact Ipswich travelled to Manchester at the weekend to face 5th placed Hightown. The Suffolk side wanting to turn their recent good performances into points while the hosts looked to keep in touch with the leading pack.

Ipswich started the game with a keen idea of tactics but it was Hightown that took the early lead. Nicky O'Donnell scoring in the 11th minute after  Ipswich could not clear the ball effectively. Despite, this setback Ipswich stayed positive and driven on by midfielders Jo Ellis and captain Vic Sandall the away team began to create chances. It was almost inevitable that Ellis in her last game for the club, before flying out to Australia with the England team, would make her mark. This she did when she reacted first to a Kirsten Spencer short corner strike to lift the ball over the home team keeper to make it 1-1. Ipswich now in full flight took the lead 2 minutes later, this time Spencer's fearsome short corner strike needing no help as it powered in the far corner. Hightown led by the tricky Tina Cullen fought back and drew level from a well worked corner routine finished of again by O'Donnell to see the first half end at 2-2.  B

Both sides did not back off in the second half but the Ipswich defence especially 16 year Amy Tippen had the measure of Cullen and her fellow attackers.  With 7 minutes of the the 2nd half gone Hightown gained another short corner and it was Cullen this time who took the shot that beat Ipswich keeper Hannah Robinson and took the home team into the lead for the second time. Ipswich refused to give up though and went agonisingly close to equalising on several occasions. with 8 minutes to go Ipswich finally broke through; Lizzy Aldous scoring with a well placed shot, after some excellent build up play from Ellis.  Both sides pushed on for the winner but in the end they had to settle for the draw and a point a piece.

Ipswich are still looking for their first win but with this excellent team display it surely is just around the corner. 

Printwize East Premier League

Ipswich2's v Letchworth

Result: won 2-1 (scorers: D Course, H Golding) 

The top v. bottom clash in the Printwize East Premier League on Saturday saw the 2s notch up a much needed 3 points with a well earned 2-1 victory over league leaders, Letchworth.

Ipswich focused from the start and, despite being placed under intense pressure by Letchworth, were able to maintain their game plan. Sarah Juggins and Charlie Anderson worked tirelessly in midfield to channel play out to the wings and prevent Letchworth exploiting their strength down the centre of the pitch. Meanwhile strong defensive performances from Jenny Ellis, Amanda Gee, Sally Tyrell and Dawn Course frustrated the oppositions attack. 

Ellis & Juggins combined well with Nicky Keely at right midfield to feed the ball through to right winger Hannah Golding who rattled the visitors defence on several occasions but was unable to get the final touch in the D. Despite solid team performances from the Ipswich midfield and defence, Letchworth were finally rewarded for their persistent pressure with a goal midway through the first half. The home defence was unsettled when Sally Tyrell caught the full force of a stick across the back of the hand and had to leave the pitch for treatment. 

Karla Waddleton, making a welcome return to league hockey, stepped in and soon looked comfortable controlling the central defence. Ipswich continued to build from defence setting up several strong attacking runs down the left with Charlie Anderson working well with captain, Sarah Logan in midfield. However, Letchworth maintained their structure in defence and were able to break down the Ipswich attack on the edge of the D. While the visitors undoubtedly created more first half chances they were denied increasing their lead by an outstanding performance in goal from “Man of the Match “, Mary Ost and the half time score remained 1-0 to Letchworth.

Ipswich were undeterred and the second half saw the home team beginning to dominate the midfield. Increased pressure resulted in several chances and Ipswich finally drew level when a short corner strike, initially saved by the Letchworth keeper, fell to Dawn Course who catching the keeper unbalanced, pushed the ball over the line to equalise. Ipswich stepped up a gear with sisters Beth and Hannah Golding taking on the, now ruffled, Letchworth defence and creating some great opportunities which Ipswich were unlucky not to put away. Ipswich eventually got the upper hand when they were awarded a free hit just over the 25 yard line. Sarah Juggins struck the ball hard into the top of the D where it was picked up by Fiona Lane. Lane’s initial strike on goal was saved by the keeper but Hannah Golding pounced on the rebound to put Ipswich 2-1 up with 15 minutes to go. Letchworth, with pride as well as 3 points at stake, battled back into the game. Ipswich were forced to reorganise after losing Sarah Logan as a result of knee injury but despite being put under intense pressure for the final 10 minutes managed to hold out and claim 3 hard earned points.

A great team performance and a hint of what this rebuilding second team is capable off.

Suffolk League Div 1

Ipswich4's v Felixstowe 2's

Result: won 7-0 (scorers Holt (3), V Hemphill, V Allen, A Taylor) 

Ipswich had a lot to prove after losing 8-1 to Felixstowe 1st team last week, so pressed hard from the start, using the width to their advantage and the pace of the Juniors to out play the Felixstowe defence. 10 mins into the game, Ipswich had their first set piece and scored through a superb strike from Julie Holt from the top of the Felixstowe D. Credit must be given to midfield and defence who worked hard at keeping possession with simple play, leaving stand in goal keeper 'Biscuit' (Laura Peskett) with barely a touch of the ball. The Felixstowe keeper did well to keep out the many strikes Ipswich had at goal. Finding lots of space and lack of marking by the Felixstowe defence, Vicky saw an opportunity to drive a shot in from the right before the half time whistle went. Captain Julie Holt gave a good tactical change at half time to see Nareen go on as right midfield, paring up with Sue Whiting. The pair worked well on the right using Vanessa and Julie to set up two more goals within 10 mins. By using our subs at this point Felixstowe were starting to tire and they found it difficult to keep up with the pace of Beth Karley and Vicky Hemphill. Ipswich didn't tire and were determined to bring back our goal difference from last week, leaving the final score at 7-0. 

No Game

Printwize East League Div 3SE

 Dunmow v Ipswich 3's

Result :won 1-0. (Scorers: R Hauxwell)

Ipswich went into this game in high spirits following three straight wins. However both sides knew that Dunmow's lowly position was largely a reflection of the fact that they had so far played the better teams in the league and that in due course they will move higher up the League.

Although Ipswich dominated the possession in the first quarter few chances were created apart from one short corner which Bromley crashed against the post. Dunmow grew in confidence and began to cause Ipswich problems although with Scarff running tirelessly, with Pittaway resolute and Bignell defying his reputation from the previous week Dunmow were held at bay.

Ipswich made a few positional changes at half time and created a few more chances but were still getting caught on the break especially when both Williams and Wrinch overlapped Smith at the top of the day - Bignell saved the day.

Then 14 year old Rob Hauxwell deftly finished a Cutting cross to score on his third team league debut. Contrary to the tired old journalistic cliche that "he looks one for the future" in the second half he looked very much one for the present every time he got the ball.

With the older hands of Sebborn and Fletton holding firm on the left and Foster providing an outlet to the defence the Ipswich team managed to hold on for a crucial one nil win. Both teams were only too aware that Ipswich had nicked the result and that this was largely due to the excellence and dynamism of the pumped up Bignell. Long may his dynamic frame fill the Ipswich goal.

Next week Ipswich will be going for their 5th straight win against Ramgarhia. 11.30 push back at Henley Road for those wishing to see Suffolk's form team in action. 

Printwize East League Div 4SE

  Ipswich 4's v Thurrock

Result :lost 1-0

Unfortunately, this turned out to be another defeat for the 4th XI. However, this was a much better effort than previous week against a team lying in 3rd place in this division and who clearly expected to beat us easily. The first half, although one sided in Thurrocks favour in terms of position, was extremely hard fought and the score remained 0-0 at half time. Thanks to Richard Langton and Tom Wheaton joining us from the Vets, as their game was cancelled, and Jim Webb's return, the mid field was far more effective. The defense was under constant pressure but this week the mid field was contributing strongly to the defense and there were more outlets once position had been recovered. David Constable played well throughout the game at right back and regularly made the extra man down the right flank.

The second half looked to be a continuation of the first until Andy Hampton rather harshly received a yellow card. This disrupted the defense a little and Ipswich finally conceded a goal after a short corner shortly before Andy was allowed back on the field. After that, Ipswich did create a few chances and was unlucky not to score. However, the lack of a settled side leaves us short of an effective short corner routine and so 3 or 4 were simply squandered. However, this was a most enjoyable game and shows what the side is capable of. Everyone played their part and we certainly went down fighting. 

Printwize East League Div 6SE

 Ipswich 5's v Brentwood 4's

Result lost :3-0

The team started well against a useful Brentwood team, Ipswich's passing often let them down thereby putting themselves under pressure. Ipswich went 2 down; one from a short corner and another from open play that should have been closed down earlier. The introduction of the experienced Girling gave a better stability to the team and Brentwood were unable to add to their tally before half time.

The second half was much more encouraging for Ipswich, and whilst not troubling the Brentwood keeper too often, their play and commitment was much better. Andy Hicks at the back marshalled the defence and kept the Brentwood forwards at bay, and on several occasions that they were breached

13 year old goalkeeper Ben Glading showed what a good prospect he is for the future. Brentwood managed a further goal late in the game when Hicks control let him down and the ball was scrambled home.