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Kwiek defeat in Kent for Croydon

In the wide open space of Sutton Valence, Croydon changed their sections round again, in their bid to find the best working combinations of players. With Lorna Elliot on family duties, and Andy Withers sick, the starting line-up was a little changed to the previous weeks.

Coach Dave Butters paired himself up with Zak Omar, with Anna Jeanes (c) and Karen James, thankfully on the mend from injury. In the other half, it was tall guys Pete Lindsey and Dan Pratt who were teamed up with Grace Stimpson and Jane Belfourd.

It was Croydon who, for once, started the brighter, with Zak dropping off for a lovely goal to open the scoring. Kwiek were on form though and scored soon after to even the scores up.

The first two quick goals were not a sign of things to come though, as the defences of both teams then tightened up and the goals slowed. In attack Croydon were struggling to get the positions they needed, but were still managing some nice long passes. In defence, the South Londeners were holding out the home team, blocking the feed and pushing them to take shots from distance.

As the half wore on, Kwiek used their pace and athleticism to punish their opposition, scoring 5 more times. Croydon weren't letting themselves down though, and managed to score a couple of their own. There was some really good movement from the Croydonites, and it was the finishing of the shots, particularly under the basket, that meant they failed to score more.

In the second half, Kwiek found their shooting boots, and popped in goals from distance, as well as some neat drop-offs. Croydon were still managing to play well though, creating their chances, and pressuring the Kwiek players. A couple of decisions from the referee, allowing play to continue when the ball was accidently knocked out of hands in defence, resulted in easy goals for the attack, which frustrated the Croydon players, but they worked to redress the balance.

There were some great, well fought, personal battles going on, particularly Stimpson, who wasn't giving an inch on her player, and who scored twice as well as forcing a penalty. Butters was well matched against Kwiek's Brooker (both ex-England players), but it was Butters who seemed to outplay his opponent.

Not sure what Omar had for breakfast, but it certainly seemed to work. He was on the ball, picking up lose balls, intercepting passes, and generally making it really hard for the Kwiek attackers. In attack himself, he managed to move into the right space at the right time to open up the section, and to have a number of chances at scoring. He came tantalisingly close to scoring many more goals, and will be slightly disappointed that more didn't go in, given the chances he created. His timing and energy were spot on and he was deservedly man of the match.

With 10 minutes to go, Ed Chaney came on for Lindsey, and Hannah Evans for James. Chaney and Evans brought fresh legs to the proceedings, but it was too little too late, and the home side ran out 16-8 winners.

There is still lots for Croydon to work on, but today there were glimmers of what they are really capable of. The test will be for them to work out how to produce their best for the full length of a game, every game.


Match Report by Anna | Updated by Zuton


Final Score: Kwiek 1 16 vs 8 Croydon 1


Z Omar (2)

D Pratt (2)

D Butters (1)

P Lindsey (0)

E Chaney (0)

G Codd (2)

J Hudspith (1)

A Jeanes (0)

K James (0)

H Evans (0)

Submitted by Sicknote on 08 Mar 09

Hard working Woking contain Croydon 3 contingent

Having narrowly beaten Woking in the first fixture this season, Croydon 3 were hopeful of another win in the return leg. The hall was not available until the start of the match, so a quick warm up in the cafeteria had to suffice (whilst being careful to avoid throwing a ball through the 26" Panasonic Viera widescreen TV in the corner!)

Woking attacked first against Croydon's defence of Andy Burnham, Steve Chadd, Sarah Hole and Zoe Shewell(c). Lynda Barker, Kathy Dean, Mark Irving and Paul Jeanes waited patiently for their chance in attack.

After a few minutes, Woking got off the mark with a mid range effort. Croydon responded well with Lynda in the feed consistently finding Mark and Paul in space who put up a flurry of mid and long range shots, but failed to score. Croydon's defence kept Woking out long enough to allow Paul time to get Croydon off the mark with a nice mid-range shot from the side (bang on target, didn't touch the basket on the way through). Woking pulled ahead though with a 2 goal lead from a running in shot and a penalty. In between these goals Zoe had a chance to pull one back with a shot from down-town, which agonisingly swirled in to, around, and back out of the basket. If korfball awarded half goals, that one would have counted! Back in attack again Paul brought Croydon once more back in to the game as he was fed in for a running in shot. First half ended 3-2 to Woking.

Woking started the 2nd half well, repeatedly securing the collect to recycle the ball for 3 or 4 shot attacks before Croydon intercepted. Their efforts paid off, and Woking pulled ahead to 6-2. Sarah was doing really well and appeared to be enjoying her battle against Woking's most experienced girl. Her reward was a nice mid range shot. A quick break followed when Zoe's opponent twisted her knee in collect and unfortunately had to be subbed off. Although there had been no foul play involved, the ref for some reason awarded Woking the restart. Croydon quickly regained possession though, and Steve got Croydon's 2nd goal of the half with a long range effort. Unfortunately any hopes of a comeback were lost as Woking were awarded (and scored) a penalty. They then kept possession of the ball for the majority of the remaining time, helped in part by some dodgy passing from Croydon in the narrow hall, and scored two further goals. The clock ran out, leaving the final score as Woking 9, Croydon 4.


Match Report by Zoe | Updated by Andy


Final Score: Woking 1 9 vs 4 Croydon 3


P Jeanes (2)

S Chadd (1)

A Burnham (0)

M Irving (0)

S Hole (1)

L Barker (0)

K Bradford (0)

Z Shewell (0)

Submitted by Zoe on 08 Mar 09
Try Korfball!