England Hockey National Women’s over 35’s Final

Ipswich v Teddington

Result: Won 2-1

Scorers: V Dixon, S Lister

Ipswich Hockey Club continued their superb end to the 2009-2010 season with another National Title, the third one secured by the club in as many weeks.

This time it was the turn of the Women’s veterans side as they faced defending Champions Teddington in the final of the England Hockey over 35’s Cup.

Both sides were able to field Olympic medallists. Teddington an Australian Gold winner from the 1996 Atlanta Games and Ipswich 3 Bronze medallists, Vickey Dixon, Sandie Lister and Jo Thompson, from the 1992 Barcelona games.

It was Ipswich’s Olympians that made the early running. Lister started the game with a classic overlap down the right and from then on played a superb game, showing why she was regarded by many as one of the best players of her generation.

Also showing her class was midfielder Vickey Dixon as she opened the scoring for the Suffolk Club.  Her undercut shot into the roof of the net was nothing short of spectacular and also nothing short of what Ipswich deserved after dominating the opening spell.

Ipswich were now in total control and should have extended their lead but the final touch was just missing after some great work by Sarah Bamfield and Leisa King.

Half time saw Ipswich 1-0 up but with hot temperatures and tiring legs both sides knew that the game was still in the balance.

Teddington began the second half with a renewed vigour and their Australian began to show her class with some great runs from mid-field.  Having earned a short corner she showed her worth with a thunderous shot into the bottom corner.

Buoyed by their goal the defending Champions pressed on and only some great goal keeping by Jo Thompson and some stalwart defending by Nettie Strange, Karla Waddleton, Sandie Lister and Kirsten Spencer kept them out.

Ipswich regrouped and with some dazzling skills by King in midfield began to once more dominate the game.  Fittingly it was King that created the second goal with a trademark run and hot from the left hand of the circle. Sam Lister made sure, with the final touch sliding in on the far post to once more give Ipswich the lead.

Despite a few nervy moments Ipswich held firm to claim the title and celebrated being National Champions for the fourth time in their history.

The side will now travel to Europe next year to play in the European Championships and will be looking to defend their title next season.

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NE14HOCKEY East League

Prem B

NE14HOCKEY East League

Div 2N

NE14HOCKEY East League 

NE14HOCKEY East League

Saturday 27th March 2010 

Hockey East Veterans League

Ipswich Mens Vets v Norwich Exciles 

Result: 5- 1 

Scorers: Curzon 2, Glading, Tew, Foster

Ipswich maintained their challenge for the league title but made life difficult for themselves in a lack lustre first half. Ipswich lost stalwart keeper Steward to illness on the morning of the game and were fortunate to be able to call on John Gordon to make his comeback.

Ipswich began the game in determined mood but it took until the fifteenth minute to pierce the Exiles defence, a long ball out of their own half found Curzon; he exchanged passes with Glading before tapping home. Exiles to their credit defended in numbers and were rewarded when an appalling pass from the Ipswich right found the opposition who counter attacked in numbers. Gordon in goal made the save but was powerless to save the follow up. Ipswich resorted to speculative through passes which came to nothing and some harsh words were said at half time.

Glading restored the lead pouncing on a defensive lapse and then Tew converted a penalty flick after his penalty corner strike hit a foot on the line. Ipswich's attacking flare started to return and chances appeared, Curzon notched his second latching on to a superb pass from Calver and then Foster, more used to providing, placed his shot past the advancing keeper.

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