The Men’s 2s rediscovered their rhythm with an emphatic 8–1 victory at home, before being held to a 1–1 draw in Sunday’s rearranged fixture. The Women’s 1s edged a thriller, 6–5, in what can only be described as a contest of relentless momentum swings (full report below).

Elsewhere, the Men’s 1s showed resilience at Loughts: trailing at the interval, they emerged 3–1 winners with a performance that spoke of composure and control (report below). The Women’s 6s earned a 1–1 draw, thanks to a moment of brilliance from an U14 talent (report below), while the Men’s 6s claimed a tidy 2–0 win.

Perhaps the result of the weekend? The Men’s 4s might argue their case after an 8–1 demolition, but sentiment favours the Women’s 2s, who secured their first win of the season, a landmark worth celebrating.

Challenges remain. The Women’s 3s and 4s, along with the Men’s 3s, are locked in relegation battles – the 3s adjusting to life after promotion, the 4s once again fighting for survival.

Looking ahead, all eyes turn to Saturday: the Men’s 1s host Pelicans at 2pm in a clash that could shape the promotion race. They sit third, two points adrift of Pelicans and Blueharts. A big crowd would not go amiss.

All to play for. Best of blue this weekend.

M1 W3-1
M2 W8-1
M2 D1-1
M3 L1-3
M4 W8-1
M5 D2-2
M6 W2-0
W1 W6-5
W2 W4-0
W3 L1-2
W4 L0-2
W5 L1-5
W6 D1-1

Women’s 6th XI
Following loosing matches in the last couple of weeks to non-development teams, Ipswich 6’s took on Christchurch 2 development team. The teams were very evenly matched, and Ipswich hit the post halfway through the first half but were unable to follow up and score.
Ipswich took the lead at the end of the first half following a magnificent solo run by Georgie Gedge.

Christchurch started the second half strong and equalised from a short corner midway during the half. This young team is improving week on week, and thanks to players from other teams for their support. Thanks also to Rachael Ling who stepped up and returned to hockey today.

Women’s 1s
11 goal thriller
Ipswich welcomed Bishops Stortford TR for a middle of the table clash. High stakes for both teams to secure a win.

Ipswich set the tone early with a blistering start. Ipswich had a lucky escape with back to back epic saves from GK Emma Kwan (which continued through the match). Ipswich won the early goal after just five minutes, Taylor Ball opened the scoring off, from a second phase save from Emma Rix strike. Five minutes later, Sophie Sexton converted the first of her three goals from a well-executed short corner routine, giving Ipswich a strong foothold. They continued to dominate the early phases, and at 21 minutes Sexton added her second—again from a clinical short corner variation that left the Stortford defence scrambling. Barely two minutes later, Lizzy Wheelhouse extended the lead to 4–0, from an awesome reaction from a far post shot off Georgia Harrold, capitalising on sustained pressure and quick ball movement.

Despite the scoreline, Stortford were far from out of the contest. They found a lifeline at the 30-minute mark, the first of what would become four goals gifted through Ipswich individual errors. These lapses opened the door for Stortford to regain confidence and build momentum. Their pressure told again on 39 minutes and 44 minutes, both times punishing uncharacteristic mistakes from the Ipswich back line. Suddenly the game had shifted from comfortable control to a tight, tense battle.

Ipswich responded positively after the break. In the 48th minute, Sexton completed her hat-trick—her third strike from a short corner, reflecting Ipswich’s precision in set-piece situations throughout the match. But Stortford continued to capitalise on Ipswich’s inconsistencies. They drew level with two goals in quick succession at 62 and 64 minutes: the first coming from Stortford’s only cleanly executed short corner and the second coming from yet another unfortunate Ipswich error, which they level the game to 5–5…

With the game on a knife-edge, both sides pushed for a winner. It was Ipswich who found the decisive moment. In the 66th minute, Taylor Ball gets her second home goal after clever interplay to restore the lead and ultimately secure all three points.

This exhilarating contest showcased the best and worst of both teams—Ipswich’s razor-sharp short corner unit and attacking flair, contrasted with defensive mishaps that kept Stortford within striking distance. Stortford’s persistence and ability to punish mistakes made for a gripping finale, but Ipswich’s attacking quality proved just enough on the day.

In a pulsating encounter that delivered eleven goals and relentless momentum swings, Ipswich edged Stortford 6–5 in what was unquestionably a spectacular advert for attacking hockey. It was the kind of match neutrals dream of—high energy, high stakes and drama right up to the final whistle.

Due to other results on Saturday, Ipswich now sit 5th in the table. The top of a very tight middle table battle. Can they extend their points and goal difference next weekend as they face Dereham.

Men’s 1s 3-1 vs Old Loughtonians
A crisp afternoon, a dodgy warm-up, and a performance that swung from chaotic to classy – classic us. We did start in peak form by conceding an early goal. The opposition slipped through far too easily, partly thanks to our experimental midfield pairing of Sean and Frypan, whose brief venture into the centre of the park will forever be remembered as “that time we learned a valuable lesson.” on top of this, Old Loughts keeper was in immense form from Big Mitt’s corners.

But once we’d shaken the early wobble, things turned. Seth came agonisingly close to levelling the score, smashing the post with a strike that deserved better. That near miss seemed to spark the team into life. The equaliser came courtesy of Milo, who produced a brilliant finish of a 1v1 from the half way line to get us back on track following a classic laser-ball from Southy delivery (who incidentally kept getting chopped down – no-one does that to Uncle James: “do you know who he is”!). From there, momentum swung our way.

Our pressure kept building, and eventually Cookie capped off his outstanding display with a well-taken 1st time goal following a glorious aerial from Milo. Contender for goal of the season surely. Wardy then delivered a lovely deflection (following some brilliant team play on the break); the kind that looks accidental but was absolutely, totally intentional (we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt). A 3–1 win and we stamped our authority all over the match.

Man of the Match – Milo
Relentless work rate, composure on the ball, and a goal to wrap it up. Clear winner.

Dick of the Day – Coops
Awarded with great enthusiasm by the squad for reasons we all know, but definitely won’t mention in writing.

A solid win, moments of madness, and plenty to build on. Onwards to the next one.