Ladies 2’s
The Dragons came out with a fighting spirit on a bitterly cold Saturday morning, with the anticipation of the top of the table position being up for grabs after a long Christmas break. As the starting whistle blew the Dragons leapt into action, their determination and skill dominating over Spilsby. Accurate passing and posting up ensured that the Dragons held most of possession in the first half. Success struck when the Dragons had a fantastic run from our defence half with the midfield players quickly passing around three Spilsby players and Sarah Morgan-Waters effortlessly carrying the ball precisely passing it into the D for Helena Darragh to take a strike straight into the back of the net. Spilsby came close to equalising the goal with a short corner, however the superb effort from the first defensive runner Dawn McShane, blocking the Spilsby strike, this allowed the Dragons to go into the second half with a 1-0 lead.

Spilsby came out strongly in the second half, attacking the Bourne Deeping goal on several occasions with a few near misses. But our strong defensive work and excellent goal keeping from Tori Wand kept the score line to 1-0. Our attacking midfield play continued from Kirsty Martin moving the ball out to the right wing to Ella Henson, who drove into the opponents circle, striking the ball which was tapped through the goalies legs by Sarah Morgan- Waters enabling the Dragons to double the score line. Spilsby then piled the pressure on successfully scoring a goal making the final 10 minutes very tense. Bourne Deeping kept their composure and in the last 5 minutes were awarded 2 short corners in quick succession. However they were unable to add to the final score, which ended in a fantastic 2-1 victory for Bourne Deeping. Placing them in top position in the league with a goal advantage.

Ladies 3’s
Bourne Deeping Dragons Ladies third team where beaten 10-0 against Leadenham ladies on Saturday. The first half included lots of passing and strong defence with some good clears out wide by goal keeper Rose Taylor-Jackson getting constant shots at her, including 4 short corners and 1 penalty flick by the Leadenham team, resulting in a 6-0 score line. The Dragons put a lot of pressure the away team making them working hard for the game, which paid off as the Dragons pushed the ball up the pitch further and further with strong passes from Lucy Scrafton, Aisling O’Keefe and Mia Barford. In the second half, although some great defending by Cara Gatewood-Clarke and Nic Stazicker, another goal from Leadenham in the first few minutes. And another 5 short corners for the away team give them 4 more goals. The Dragons had gained a lot more possession of the ball, meaning they had a better chances in the game, even with strong Leadenham defenders the ladies worked hard to get around them lead to numerous times getting into their D. But in the last few minutes Nancy Simmons hit the ball up the pitch for Mia Barford to run onto that the Dragons actually got a clear shot on goal, unfortunately saved by the Leadenham goalkeeper.
Men’s 1’s
On Saturday the 6th of January BDHC 1st team hosted Norwich City Hockey Club for the first game back after the Christmas break. BDHC played their last fixture at the start of December due to the cancellation of their final two fixtures in 2017. It was clear that although BDHC were chomping at the bit for competitive sport once again, most would need a few touches to familiarise themselves with their finely tuned hockey skills.
Both teams started well showing enthusiasm to attack and encroach upon their oppositions half. After a closely thought first 10 minutes Norwich started to gain more momentum than BDHC, winning consecutive short corners that narrowly missed the back board. BDHC seemed flustered and Norwich continued to attack relentless chipping away at BDHC’s already fragile armoury.
The dead lock was broken from a well work short corner giving the visitors a one goal lead going into half time. BDHC gathered for a half time chat knowing that things weren’t quite clicking however confident previous form would return. Vice-Captain Miles, who was captain for the day in Ben Slack’s absence kept his feedback simple and clear and with a positive boost the Dragons took to the field optimistic and raring to go.
The first 10 minutes of the second half was all BDHC. The ball was moved around the pitch utilising the space at pace and with accuracy. Chris White linked up well with Andy Williams and other forward players which put the slightly caught off guard Norwich firmly on their heels. BDHC won several shorts and converted one through a well worked Simon Miles one two. The scores were level and BDHC had started to believe.
Similar to previous games BDHC love to attack and many of their players enjoying moving forward. Unfortunately this preference to go forward left BDHC stretched on defence and through some accurate distribution from the Norwich defenders Norwich were able to score their second. Shortly followed by their third.
This left BDHC with two options to see the game out and limit and further damage to goal their goal difference or go for broke. BDHC sprung to action once again as Tom Richardson showed a good physical presence in the D to hammer home from short range. Naturally Norwich extended their lead once again scoring their fourth. The dragons stayed motivate and came back at them with wave after wave of potent attack. Chris White once again showing his class by collecting numerous aerials from above is shoulders. Bourne slotted home their third through Andy Williams who had orchestrated most second half attacks. Bourne had a late short to clinch the draw however it wasn’t to be and the dragons had to settle for a 4:3 defeat.
The dragons, although defeated, felt proud of their efforts and carry the self-belief and willing to cause some damage next weekend. Next weekend The Dragons travel to I[Ipswich and Dereham over the weekend for a crucial away double header that suggests a possible bag of points for BDHC.

Men’s 2’s

Game called off

Men’s 3’s

BDHC Men’s 3’s v St Ives 2’s at St Ives
St Ives won 3-0
The first game back after Christmas was typified by one moment when a Bourne Deeping defender reached to pick up a ball to place it for a free hit and pulled his Achilles. The team were outplayed by a side that were better prepared and had not had such an indulgent festive season.
It was competitive and Bourne Deeping had their chances to score, especially in the first half when several great chances went begging. St Ives bossed the middle of the field early on and deserved their lead at half time. Jack Langley in goal made several good saves to keep the away team in the tie and the opposition keeper was called into action on numerous occasions, but St Ives ran out deserved winners. Food for thought for Bourne Deeping heading into a tough run of fixtures against the top sides in the coming weeks.

Men’s 4’s

BD 4ths 7-2 St Neots 2nds
The first game back from Turkey dinners galore saw the 4ths take on a side battling against relegation making this a 6 pointer.
The 4ths were rusty like a World War Two nail found in a French field with a double dose of rust. Everyone kept competing for the entire game and the chances kept coming for the 4ths with Tim Kiesel and James Watkins creating chaos in the St Neots backline but they couldn’t put any chances away until Kev Baker scored a great goal past the St Neots flailing keeper to roll back the years and show he’s still got goals in him. The advantage was doubled later on the half when Robert Stevens finished with a neat shot past the goalie.
Bring on the second half.
The second half was a mixture of awesomeness and players who were showing a bit of Xmas fatigue and some that just went AWOL.
Nevertheless the 4ths went on a goal spree with Kev (Awesome) and both Robert getting their second goals of the game.
Ben Waldron (also awesome) pitched in to end his 10 year goal drought ...... actually he scored last year he thinks, with two expertly taken goals, the first deflecting a ball high past the keeper from the edge of the D and the second a slow ball that travelled 10 yards through numerous players and over the line (not sure it had the power to hit the backboard).
In the meantime the opposition scored a couple of goals.
Ben Waldron then won a penalty stroke which Chris Mann stepped up and which didn’t go in (I’d like to say it was a great save by the keeper ... I’d like to but I can’t). Towards the end of the game a second penalty stroke was awarded to the 4ths. Again Chris Mann stepped up (balls as big as melons to take a second) and showed why he hasn’t missed a flick in years (apart from the first) with a flick with power and precision leaving the keeper with no chance.
Man of the match was difficult but eventually came down to a two horse race between Kev Baker and Ben Waldron, which was won by Ben
Men’s 5’s

Men’s 6’s

Games for Saturday 13th January 2018
Team League Opponents Location & Time
Ladies 1 3 NW Cambridge City 4 : Bourne Deeping 1 Stephen Perse School 2.00pm
Ladies 2 4 NW (N) Bourne Deeping 2 : Woodhall Spa 1 Arthur Mellows Village College Astro 2.00
Ladies 3 4 NW (N) Alford & District 2 : Bourne Deeping 3 Skegness Grammar School 11.00
Men’s 1 Prem B I-ES 1 : Bourne Deeping 1 Ipswich School Sports Centre 3.00 pm
Men’s 2 3 NW Bourne Deeping 2 : CoP 5 Arthur Mellows Village College Astro 11.00
Men’s 3 4 NW Bourne Deeping 3 : Wisbech Town 2 Arthur Mellows Village College Astro 12.30
Men’s 4 4 NW Cambridge Nomads 2 : Bourne Deeping 4 Coldhams Common 2.00pm
Men’s 5 6 NW (N) Long Sutton 3 : Bourne Deeping 5 Peele School 2:30pm
Men’s 6 6 NW (N) Bourne Deeping 6 : Alford & District 2 Arthur Mellows Village College Astro 3.30

Games for Sunday 14th January 2018
Team League Opponents Location & Time
Men’s 1 Prem B Dereham : Bourne Deeping 1 14/01/2018 at Dereham HC astro 1:00pm