Your correspondent is somewhat behind here, half term challenges! However, I'm happy to bring you the W1 and W6s reports from last weekend. The Women's 1s got back to winning ways which was pleasing to see. Elsewhere, somewhat like the weather, it was rather a mixed weekend of fortunes. I watched the Men's 6th XI (development) who continue to impress, but was still harbouring a grump after the Men's 1s lost 2-3 to Blueharts. We have Magpies away this weekend, could be a humdinger. Elsewhere, the Women's 4s had an impressive win and are do very well indeed as a newly promoted team in a tough league. The Men's 2s remain the only unbeaten team, can they continue this form? Best of blue this weekend to all.

Women's 6th XI

A very young team travelled the short distance to take on IES 4s development team. The IES team was made up of several adults, and their youngest player was their GK.
The first half ended 0-0 although Ipswich had more of the play and made many runs into the IES D. Kitty and Liz shot wide of the posts on a couple of occasions, and we had some good shorts corners which were not converted.

IES took the lead after half time and Georgie equalised from open play. Allie added a second goal from a short corner and IES then scored 2 quick goals. Liz made the score 3-3 in the 67th minute.

The IES umpires awarded a short corner although their player was playing the ball on her knees, which they converted in the last minute, leaving Ipswich no time to reply.

Ipswich passing game is improving week on week and players are gaining in confidence.

Women's 1st XI - back in the winners circle.

Ipswich started very strongly, less than 5 minutes in and a couple of very narrow misses from Taylor Ball and Chloe Williams, just showing Cambridge University what Ipswich were all about today.
Ipswich only needed 11 minutes to get the first goal though, POTM Georgia Harrold making an immediate impact. Two early goals (her first for Ipswich) both deflections off of Keisha B-H passes, put Ipswich firmly in control within the first quarter. A team effort from GK Maddie White and Charlotte Satchwell stopped Cambridge getting an early goal too.

Cambridge managed to pull one back in the second quarter after a slow Ipswich reaction to a turnover. However, Ipswich responded quickly, with Taylor Ball finding the backboard just two minutes later to restore the two-goal cushion and send Ipswich into half time leading 3–1.

Ipswich came out of the break with renewed energy, applying relentless high pressure on the Cambridge defence. A brief lapse in concentration allowed Cambridge to grab a scrappy goal, reducing the deficit to one. But Ipswich quickly hit back, thanks to a well-executed press, Taylor intercepted and finished confidently to make it 4–2.

Cambridge weren’t done yet, converting neatly from a penalty corner to bring the score to 4–3 and set up a tense final quarter. Despite late pressure, Ipswich held firm to secure a deserved and vital three points.

Focus now turns to next weekend’s highly anticipated clash against Bury—a match that promises to be another intense contest.