Croydon 1 vs North Downs 1 Croydon lined up with Dave Butters, Andy Withers, Anna Jeanes and Jane Belfourd in attack with Ingmar Otter, Gary Heath, Grace Stimpson and Becky Pratt in defence. North Downs fielded a typically experienced line-up including fairly recent Croydon vets, Richie Crabb and Jennie Allen. Croydon started like they meant business. Despite an early penalty miss from Butters (one of 4 for the hosts in the game), they were soon 3 nil up thanks to long shots from Jeanes and Otter with a Withers free-pass in between. As Stimpson earnt another penalty, North Downs called a quick time-out to settle the ship. Heath returned from the interlude to score the penalty but soon after conceded one which Ian Taylor netted with ease. However Croydon were on top form at this stage and Butters scored from distance and Otter dropped-off to leave the hosts 6-1 up. From here it slowly but steadily started going wrong for the hosts. Croydon's passing fell to pieces and North Downs rallied as Allen dropped off, Pratt conceded a (dubious-looking) penalty and Taylor completely fooled Otter for an easy running in shot. Half time 6-4 to the hosts. One might have expected the first goal after the break to be crucial as Stimpson scored from distance but it eventually proved otherwise. Croydon's attacking division were generally on top for most of the game but Butters fell for one trick too many and Sue Tompkins (otherwise well defended by Stimpson) scored from mid range to bring North Downs back into the match. A period of stalemate ensued for some 10 minutes as Croydon were generally comfortable in defence but unable to find the back of the basket in attack. Many shots were flat and far too short and these weren't helped by a number of indiscretions under the basket, punished by referee Coen. North Downs scored again and then shortly after Withers wasn't quite tight enough as Crabb scored a trademark loopy one from distance to leave the visitors ahead for the first time in the match. There was plenty of time left though but Croydon's movement wasn't great and good chances didn't come along as frustrations rose. Pratt went off with a recurrence of breathing problems to replaced by the somewhat inexperienced Becky Tobitt. Tobitt had a positive impact though as Croydon re-grouped and were able to put more shots up but none found the basket and finally Croydon buckled down the other end and Allen scored from distance, 7-9. With minutes remaining Croydon's first attack immediately looked more fluid but Butters missed a 3rd penalty and Taylor scored again to seal the win for North Downs. There was still time for Withers to miss from the spot again as the ref blew for time. North Downs rallied well but this was frankly a shocker for Croydon. Whilst their defence was generally solid and at times coped comfortably with North Downs, their attacks often lacked fluidity and they didn't manage to score in 25 minutes of 2nd half korfball. Missing 4 penalties from 5 certainly didn't help and is an easy one for coach Butters to rectify but Croydon's bigger problems may be less obvious. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Croydon 1 7 vs 10 North Downs 1I Otter (2)D Butters (1)A Withers (1)G Heath (1)G Codd (1)A Jeanes (1)J Hudspith (0)B Sinclair (0)B Tobitt (0)Submitted by Croydon 2 vs Kwiek 2 Croydon lined up with Dan Pratt, Zu Munshi, Emma Butters, Becky Tobitt in attack with Paul Jeanes, Vernon Ellis, Julia Johnson and Lynda Barker in defence. Kwiek fielded a mix of old and new with ex-Croydon (and certainly in the former category) Ross Carr Taylor amongst the troops. It was Kwiek who started the scoring after Jeanes conceded a quick pen but Pratt, who had a great game in general, equalised from distance. Jeanes showed the 1sts how to do it with a penalty conversion but Munshi and Pratt got themselves in a pickle to leave Carr Taylor free under the post. Pratt won and converted a penalty and scored from range but again Kwiek pegged them back and it was 4-all after 10 minutes. Tobitt scored a neat free-pass but Kwiek took the lead for the first time in the match before Ellis restored parity from range to leave the game all square at 6 a piece at the break. Croydon started the 2nd half with another penalty from Pratt and Butters, who had a great game throughout, scored the first of 3 goals from middle distance - a great demonstration of "knowing-your-distance-shooting". Kwiek were battling throughout though and were always in the match as Ellis mid range shot was cancelled out by another penalty. Munshi had clearly been running Carr Taylor ragged mid way through the 2nd half though as the veteran had to make an unexpected and somewhat rushed toilet break and left his side a man down for 5 minutes. Kwiek coped and a refreshed Carr Taylor was back to score a running in shot to leave the scores 12-11 and all to play for. Butters let in a running in shot that appeared from the sidelines to be cutting but Croydon weren't to be denied as Pratt won the game with one from downtown. In fact he was unlucky not to get another as his final effort sailed in but after the whistle had gone. Still a 6 goal haul is none too shabby at any level. For once this season, Croydon won a tight game. This campaign and last they have lost the happy knack of the previous season of winning the close ones so this was a thrilling win for a team that battled hard. In truth though, as well as Kwiek played, Croydon were only behind once towards the end of the half so fully deserved their day in the sun. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Croydon 2 13 vs 12 Kwiek 2D Pratt (6)V Ellis (2)P Jeanes (1)Z Omar (0)E Butters (3)B Tobitt (1)L Barker (0)J Johnson (0)Submitted by
Croydon 2 vs Kwiek 2 Croydon lined up with Dan Pratt, Zu Munshi, Emma Butters, Becky Tobitt in attack with Paul Jeanes, Vernon Ellis, Julia Johnson and Lynda Barker in defence. Kwiek fielded a mix of old and new with ex-Croydon (and certainly in the former category) Ross Carr Taylor amongst the troops. It was Kwiek who started the scoring after Jeanes conceded a quick pen but Pratt, who had a great game in general, equalised from distance. Jeanes showed the 1sts how to do it with a penalty conversion but Munshi and Pratt got themselves in a pickle to leave Carr Taylor free under the post. Pratt won and converted a penalty and scored from range but again Kwiek pegged them back and it was 4-all after 10 minutes. Tobitt scored a neat free-pass but Kwiek took the lead for the first time in the match before Ellis restored parity from range to leave the game all square at 6 a piece at the break. Croydon started the 2nd half with another penalty from Pratt and Butters, who had a great game throughout, scored the first of 3 goals from middle distance - a great demonstration of "knowing-your-distance-shooting". Kwiek were battling throughout though and were always in the match as Ellis mid range shot was cancelled out by another penalty. Munshi had clearly been running Carr Taylor ragged mid way through the 2nd half though as the veteran had to make an unexpected and somewhat rushed toilet break and left his side a man down for 5 minutes. Kwiek coped and a refreshed Carr Taylor was back to score a running in shot to leave the scores 12-11 and all to play for. Butters let in a running in shot that appeared from the sidelines to be cutting but Croydon weren't to be denied as Pratt won the game with one from downtown. In fact he was unlucky not to get another as his final effort sailed in but after the whistle had gone. Still a 6 goal haul is none too shabby at any level. For once this season, Croydon won a tight game. This campaign and last they have lost the happy knack of the previous season of winning the close ones so this was a thrilling win for a team that battled hard. In truth though, as well as Kwiek played, Croydon were only behind once towards the end of the half so fully deserved their day in the sun. Match Report by Andy Final Score: Croydon 2 13 vs 12 Kwiek 2D Pratt (6)V Ellis (2)P Jeanes (1)Z Omar (0)E Butters (3)B Tobitt (1)L Barker (0)J Johnson (0)Submitted by
