Bec to Bec defeats for Croydon 2After their heavy defeat the week before to Bec 2 at Ernest Beven, Croydon found themselves returning to the same venue for a follow up against Bec's 3rd team. The Blues made 3 changes to the team with 2 players making their first starts and half the team made up of new faces. First attack consisted of Laura Nicholls, Simon Pavey, Adam Stevens and Sarah Withers; whilst Kathy Bradford, Marc Brazzill, Simon Mills (c) and Ren Willamson started in defence. Just like last week Croydon got off to a poor start and soon found themselves several goals behind and they never really recovered. Bec had brought their shooting boots while the visitors, through a combination of poor shot selection and distance, were struggling to put the ball in the Korf. A number of free passes and penalties for Bec further added to Croydon's frustration and by half time the team trailed again by a fair margin. The next couple of goals would be key to the game, either the score would be put out of reach or a comeback would be well and truly on... Sadly it proved to be the former. Croydon never really seemed to get into a good rhythm and with Bec putting away chance after chance, be it close or long range, it would be another disappointing end to a trip to Tooting. Defensively the team must learn to adjust their tactics when decisions are going against them, while in attack one would expect a better fluidity as players get used to each other and a cohesion is formed. The seconds now have a few weeks off to regroup and find their game when they travel again, this time to Supernova.Match Report by Anna | Updated by Simon Previous photo Next photo1 of 12 Final Score: Bec 3 23 vs 15 Croydon 2M Brazzill (3)S Mills (3)S Pavey (3)A Stevens (2)S Withers (2)K Bradford (1)L Williamson (1)L Nicholls (0)Submitted by Simon on 11 Oct 15Croydon 3 smash Bec 4 with all 9 players on the score sheetCroydon 3 travelled up to Ernest Bevan for the first game of the season against Bec 4. Croydon fielded an experienced line-up with Susan Wright, Annie Campbell, Martin James and Andy Withers in attack with Dom Bradford (c), Steve Wright, Anna Jeanes and Julia Johnson in first defence, and Ed Chaney providing the substitute cover. Bec 4 started well with a goal in their first attack but Croydon were unfazed as Susan Wright finished off a 4 shot-attack with a flat one that went in. Bradford then won and converted a penalty and Jeanes scored the first of a few from mid range. James scored from the back of the court and Campbell breezed in for one under the post and Bec didn't know what had hit them inside 8 minutes with the scores at 6-1. Jeanes scored another before Bec did get back into the game with the next 2 goals but then the Wrights scored and Jeanes got her 3rd of the half. Bradford conceded a penalty but Susan Wright sealed a good half with a shot sharp shot: 10-4. Croydon weren't resting on their laurels as they looked to up the tempo in the 2nd half. Bradford converted a pen won by Johnson and then she got on the score board properly with a mid-range shot. With Campbell scoring her 2nd this left Withers as the only player not to register but fear not he took the next and then Bradford and Johnson repeated the same penalty scenario after a harsh decision from the ref. With about 5 minutes to go Bradford subbed himself off and the newly shorn Chaney bowled on. He was straight into the action in his usual style and scored a long shot which the crowd lapped up. Bec scored their 5th goal but the 2nd half finished like the 1st with Susan Wright having the last laugh with a well taken runner. Final score: 17-5. Boom. Match Report by Andy | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 10 Final Score: Bec 4 5 vs 17 Croydon 3M James (2)A Withers (1)S Wright (1)D Bradford (3)E Chaney (1)A Jeanes (3)S Wright (3)A Campbell (2)J Johnson (1)Submitted by Dom on 11 Oct 15Croydon 4 beat Bec 5 with new look line up Previous photo Next photo1 of 7 Final Score: Bec 5 7 vs 11 Croydon 4E Chaney (4)B Walsh (4)T Raffield (1)C Stevens (1)L Lambird (1)V Goode (0)H Raffield (0)E Sturgess (0)Submitted by Craig on 11 Oct 15A solid victory for Croydon 5 against an extremely youthful Bromley 2A very young Bromley 2 side was pitted against an experienced Croydon 5 side with an average age perhaps three times as old !!! In first attack for Croydon were Bryan, Phil, Lorna and new-girl Verena (Vee), playing against an attacking section of three players, Bromley being one girl down. Our first attack was hampered slightly because Lorna had picked up a finger injury during Thursday training, which meant she was playing mostly right-handed, as she had bandaged fingers on her left hand. Lots of one-handed collects from Lorna, being the non-shooting girl on our section. With youth on their side though, Bromley were able to defend well against us, although the experienced Croydon first defence of Adam, Mark, Zoe and Vicki were also able to keep the home side at bay during their first few attacks. Indeed play was limited to a small number of shots on target for both teams, and play swapped back and forth with neither team initially able to score that elusive first goal. It was around 20 minutes into the match before Bryan finally managed to slot a long-shot in, and this turned out to be the only goal of the half, which ended a paltry 1-0 in our favour. A half-time team talk lead to our attacks being modified slightly to get around the solid Bromley defence, and this paid off in the second half. Play still ebbed back and forth between sections, but Croydon showed more grit and determination, especially in the collect. This also led to many more Bromley attacks being cut short, with excellent interceptions from the whole team. With the whole team playing more fluently in the second half, and many more chances being created, it was inevitable that more goals would come our way. Six more goals were scored by Croydon in the second half, 2 from Phil, another from Bryan (despite twisting an ankle 10 minutes from time), and a goal each for Adam, Mark and Zoe. As will undoubtedly happen during the season, the 5th team were made up of players from a mixture of teams, but we all gelled well together. A special mention for Vee, playing her first match. A superb effort, both in attack and defence, putting a number of us to shame with her eagerness to run rings around the opposition. A little more confidence with shooting and she will make an excellent addition to the team. Well done everyone. Two wins out of two. Let’s keep this up. Match Report by Bryan Final Score: Bromley 2 1 vs 7 Croydon 5P Aish (2)B Burr (2)A Champion (1)M Wright (1)Z Shewell (1)V Goode (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)V Trend (0)Submitted by Bryan on 11 Oct 15
Croydon 3 smash Bec 4 with all 9 players on the score sheetCroydon 3 travelled up to Ernest Bevan for the first game of the season against Bec 4. Croydon fielded an experienced line-up with Susan Wright, Annie Campbell, Martin James and Andy Withers in attack with Dom Bradford (c), Steve Wright, Anna Jeanes and Julia Johnson in first defence, and Ed Chaney providing the substitute cover. Bec 4 started well with a goal in their first attack but Croydon were unfazed as Susan Wright finished off a 4 shot-attack with a flat one that went in. Bradford then won and converted a penalty and Jeanes scored the first of a few from mid range. James scored from the back of the court and Campbell breezed in for one under the post and Bec didn't know what had hit them inside 8 minutes with the scores at 6-1. Jeanes scored another before Bec did get back into the game with the next 2 goals but then the Wrights scored and Jeanes got her 3rd of the half. Bradford conceded a penalty but Susan Wright sealed a good half with a shot sharp shot: 10-4. Croydon weren't resting on their laurels as they looked to up the tempo in the 2nd half. Bradford converted a pen won by Johnson and then she got on the score board properly with a mid-range shot. With Campbell scoring her 2nd this left Withers as the only player not to register but fear not he took the next and then Bradford and Johnson repeated the same penalty scenario after a harsh decision from the ref. With about 5 minutes to go Bradford subbed himself off and the newly shorn Chaney bowled on. He was straight into the action in his usual style and scored a long shot which the crowd lapped up. Bec scored their 5th goal but the 2nd half finished like the 1st with Susan Wright having the last laugh with a well taken runner. Final score: 17-5. Boom. Match Report by Andy | Updated by Andy Previous photo Next photo1 of 10 Final Score: Bec 4 5 vs 17 Croydon 3M James (2)A Withers (1)S Wright (1)D Bradford (3)E Chaney (1)A Jeanes (3)S Wright (3)A Campbell (2)J Johnson (1)Submitted by Dom on 11 Oct 15Croydon 4 beat Bec 5 with new look line up Previous photo Next photo1 of 7 Final Score: Bec 5 7 vs 11 Croydon 4E Chaney (4)B Walsh (4)T Raffield (1)C Stevens (1)L Lambird (1)V Goode (0)H Raffield (0)E Sturgess (0)Submitted by Craig on 11 Oct 15A solid victory for Croydon 5 against an extremely youthful Bromley 2A very young Bromley 2 side was pitted against an experienced Croydon 5 side with an average age perhaps three times as old !!! In first attack for Croydon were Bryan, Phil, Lorna and new-girl Verena (Vee), playing against an attacking section of three players, Bromley being one girl down. Our first attack was hampered slightly because Lorna had picked up a finger injury during Thursday training, which meant she was playing mostly right-handed, as she had bandaged fingers on her left hand. Lots of one-handed collects from Lorna, being the non-shooting girl on our section. With youth on their side though, Bromley were able to defend well against us, although the experienced Croydon first defence of Adam, Mark, Zoe and Vicki were also able to keep the home side at bay during their first few attacks. Indeed play was limited to a small number of shots on target for both teams, and play swapped back and forth with neither team initially able to score that elusive first goal. It was around 20 minutes into the match before Bryan finally managed to slot a long-shot in, and this turned out to be the only goal of the half, which ended a paltry 1-0 in our favour. A half-time team talk lead to our attacks being modified slightly to get around the solid Bromley defence, and this paid off in the second half. Play still ebbed back and forth between sections, but Croydon showed more grit and determination, especially in the collect. This also led to many more Bromley attacks being cut short, with excellent interceptions from the whole team. With the whole team playing more fluently in the second half, and many more chances being created, it was inevitable that more goals would come our way. Six more goals were scored by Croydon in the second half, 2 from Phil, another from Bryan (despite twisting an ankle 10 minutes from time), and a goal each for Adam, Mark and Zoe. As will undoubtedly happen during the season, the 5th team were made up of players from a mixture of teams, but we all gelled well together. A special mention for Vee, playing her first match. A superb effort, both in attack and defence, putting a number of us to shame with her eagerness to run rings around the opposition. A little more confidence with shooting and she will make an excellent addition to the team. Well done everyone. Two wins out of two. Let’s keep this up. Match Report by Bryan Final Score: Bromley 2 1 vs 7 Croydon 5P Aish (2)B Burr (2)A Champion (1)M Wright (1)Z Shewell (1)V Goode (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)V Trend (0)Submitted by Bryan on 11 Oct 15
Croydon 4 beat Bec 5 with new look line up Previous photo Next photo1 of 7 Final Score: Bec 5 7 vs 11 Croydon 4E Chaney (4)B Walsh (4)T Raffield (1)C Stevens (1)L Lambird (1)V Goode (0)H Raffield (0)E Sturgess (0)Submitted by Craig on 11 Oct 15A solid victory for Croydon 5 against an extremely youthful Bromley 2A very young Bromley 2 side was pitted against an experienced Croydon 5 side with an average age perhaps three times as old !!! In first attack for Croydon were Bryan, Phil, Lorna and new-girl Verena (Vee), playing against an attacking section of three players, Bromley being one girl down. Our first attack was hampered slightly because Lorna had picked up a finger injury during Thursday training, which meant she was playing mostly right-handed, as she had bandaged fingers on her left hand. Lots of one-handed collects from Lorna, being the non-shooting girl on our section. With youth on their side though, Bromley were able to defend well against us, although the experienced Croydon first defence of Adam, Mark, Zoe and Vicki were also able to keep the home side at bay during their first few attacks. Indeed play was limited to a small number of shots on target for both teams, and play swapped back and forth with neither team initially able to score that elusive first goal. It was around 20 minutes into the match before Bryan finally managed to slot a long-shot in, and this turned out to be the only goal of the half, which ended a paltry 1-0 in our favour. A half-time team talk lead to our attacks being modified slightly to get around the solid Bromley defence, and this paid off in the second half. Play still ebbed back and forth between sections, but Croydon showed more grit and determination, especially in the collect. This also led to many more Bromley attacks being cut short, with excellent interceptions from the whole team. With the whole team playing more fluently in the second half, and many more chances being created, it was inevitable that more goals would come our way. Six more goals were scored by Croydon in the second half, 2 from Phil, another from Bryan (despite twisting an ankle 10 minutes from time), and a goal each for Adam, Mark and Zoe. As will undoubtedly happen during the season, the 5th team were made up of players from a mixture of teams, but we all gelled well together. A special mention for Vee, playing her first match. A superb effort, both in attack and defence, putting a number of us to shame with her eagerness to run rings around the opposition. A little more confidence with shooting and she will make an excellent addition to the team. Well done everyone. Two wins out of two. Let’s keep this up. Match Report by Bryan Final Score: Bromley 2 1 vs 7 Croydon 5P Aish (2)B Burr (2)A Champion (1)M Wright (1)Z Shewell (1)V Goode (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)V Trend (0)Submitted by Bryan on 11 Oct 15
A solid victory for Croydon 5 against an extremely youthful Bromley 2A very young Bromley 2 side was pitted against an experienced Croydon 5 side with an average age perhaps three times as old !!! In first attack for Croydon were Bryan, Phil, Lorna and new-girl Verena (Vee), playing against an attacking section of three players, Bromley being one girl down. Our first attack was hampered slightly because Lorna had picked up a finger injury during Thursday training, which meant she was playing mostly right-handed, as she had bandaged fingers on her left hand. Lots of one-handed collects from Lorna, being the non-shooting girl on our section. With youth on their side though, Bromley were able to defend well against us, although the experienced Croydon first defence of Adam, Mark, Zoe and Vicki were also able to keep the home side at bay during their first few attacks. Indeed play was limited to a small number of shots on target for both teams, and play swapped back and forth with neither team initially able to score that elusive first goal. It was around 20 minutes into the match before Bryan finally managed to slot a long-shot in, and this turned out to be the only goal of the half, which ended a paltry 1-0 in our favour. A half-time team talk lead to our attacks being modified slightly to get around the solid Bromley defence, and this paid off in the second half. Play still ebbed back and forth between sections, but Croydon showed more grit and determination, especially in the collect. This also led to many more Bromley attacks being cut short, with excellent interceptions from the whole team. With the whole team playing more fluently in the second half, and many more chances being created, it was inevitable that more goals would come our way. Six more goals were scored by Croydon in the second half, 2 from Phil, another from Bryan (despite twisting an ankle 10 minutes from time), and a goal each for Adam, Mark and Zoe. As will undoubtedly happen during the season, the 5th team were made up of players from a mixture of teams, but we all gelled well together. A special mention for Vee, playing her first match. A superb effort, both in attack and defence, putting a number of us to shame with her eagerness to run rings around the opposition. A little more confidence with shooting and she will make an excellent addition to the team. Well done everyone. Two wins out of two. Let’s keep this up. Match Report by Bryan Final Score: Bromley 2 1 vs 7 Croydon 5P Aish (2)B Burr (2)A Champion (1)M Wright (1)Z Shewell (1)V Goode (0)L MacKay-Elliott (0)V Trend (0)Submitted by Bryan on 11 Oct 15
