Croydon KC 22 v 17 Bec KC

Bec were out for revenge in this match having suffered a 20-4 loss at home earlier in the season. Croydon meanwhile were looking to move up the table and put relegation out of their minds.

Both teams started brightly with goals and free-passes traded in early exchanges. After 10 minutes Bec found themselves in a 2 goal lead with Duncan Jefford scoring a pressure-free drop off shot.

Despite a well worked goal from Croydon's Richie Crabb and a huge blam from Dave Butters, Bec continued their lead with a goal from Sarah Stalker to bring the scores to 4-6. This would be Bec's peak however as Butters netted 2 quick goals to pull the teams level and then goals from Steve Jones and Crabb reversed the 2 goal advantage. Jefford was on fine form in the first half and was the source of much of Bec's scoring but goals flowed more freely from Croydon and from all around the team as Ali Rotheram, Janine Collier and Kat van der Buntova got in on the scoring act. At half time the score was 14-10 in Croydon's favour.
The second half was quite even in goals with Croydon edging it 8-7 but the game never really looked in doubt as the hosts comfortably put away their chances and Bec's hopes were slowly eroded. The unstoppable Jones continued his fine attacking form with some superb one-handed shots, running in shots and drop-offs. Bec called a time-out after 10 minutes as the game slipping away with the scores at 17-10. The time-out clearly worked as they made the most of the space Croydon allowed them with Jefford, Stalker and Cathy Clarkson scoring. Croydon themselves needed to steady the ship and called their own time-out with the scores at 18-13. From then on each team scored 4 goals each in the final 8 minutes but the game was really won either side of half time when Croydon were able to stretch away from the visitors.



S Jones (8), D Butters (4), I Aquino (1), R Crabb (2), K Jones (1), A Rotheram (2), K van der Buntova (2), J Collier (2)

Croydon KC2 14 v 13 Bec KC2

Croydon's reserve team ultimately triumphed in a close encounter with Bec's reserves. Bec's team appeared younger and fitter than Croydon's as was shown by their excellent pressure on the ball which resulted in many turn-overs thoughout the game. However Croydon's greater resilience showed and some timely goals from juniors Amanda Furlano and Daniel Moore proved the difference as Bec's lack of imagination in attack cost them dearly.

Some stalwart defending from Croydon's Nigel Hudspith helped to ensure that the attacking section had time to build their attacks although off-days from the normally reliable Paul Jeanes and Sarah George did little to help that section. In the end, Croydon didn't panic and were able to reel Bec in and score the extra goal that sealed the win. It was pleasing to see the side win a close match as often this season this has not been the case.

With Nick Collier and Lynda Barker starring in a whalloping of Bec 3 (scoring 11 goals between them) the 2nd team players will have extra motivation to prove their places over the coming matches

A Furlano (2), J Allen (2), J Johnson (2), S George (1), P Jeanes (3), A Withers (2), D Moore (1), N Hudspith (1), L Barker (sub,0), N Collier (sub,0)

Croydon KC3 17 v 2 Bec KC3

Croydon showed no mercy in dispatching a poor Bec third team in this LDKA 1 fixture. Bec were a boy down but were unable to make the best of a bad situation by not challenging for the collect therefore allowing Croydon shot after shot. Lynda Barker did just this, scoring 4 goals in total. Down the other end, a heated battle between friends Nick Collier and Patrick Gross ensued but Collier got the best of the encounter with 7 goals in all. Junior Greg Dring was substituted at half time due to illness but soon after Mick Moore suffered a pulled muscle so Croydon were temporarily down to 7 players themselves. However squad coach Ronald van der Bunt stripped off his jeans and was shoe-horned into some shorts for a rare outing. Much to the crowd's amusement he added some flair to the contest but was only able to convert one of his many chances.

Croydon KC4 10 v 10 Mitcham KC4

Croydon 4 were matched against Mitcham 4, in what was set for an interesting game. Traditionally Mitcham 4 has been an exceedingly strong team, but this season they were lying one place below Croydon so the tone was set for a close encounter.

The Croydon team was again a mix of youth and experience, and they started well, against a 7-player Mitcham. Junior Becky Pratt paired up with Debbie Holland in the first attack, with experienced Mike Etheridge, and the returning from injury, Pat Blake.

Croydon were able to recycle the shots after collection and to bring all their attackers into play, to produce some good moves. Mitcham played equally well though, and after Mitcham's 8th player turned up, it was soon clear that that the teams were evenly matched. Neither team could pull ahead by more than the odd goal or two, and both seemed to struggle at times to put the ball in the basket despite making all the right moves.

At the other end, another junior, Chris Etheridge worked with last minute replacement Paul Jeanes, with newcomer Helen Mansfield and regular Judi Sloman. The pace was at times frenetic, in defence as well as attack, with many collects being "on the run".

As the game went into the dying minutes, Mitcham were 1 goal up, when one of their players was yellow carded for dissent. Croydon took the opportunity to slot home a medium distance shot to level the scores, and that was how it ended. An excellent all round team effort, with perhaps just one or two areas for players to work on! Special mention goes to Helen who scored her first ever competitive goal!