After three weeks of sunshine the strong, bitter wind finally came to start off the hockey season in true winter style. Both teams started fast with determination to play the ball at either ends of the pitch; however Dereham began to push it further into Thetford’s half and stole two convincing strikes at goal. Unfortunately for Dereham, these were well deflected and play switched seamlessly as the ball sped towards Dereham’s own defending half. Emily Crisp, Dereham, skilfully managed to keep the ball out of the ‘D’ and shot the ball up the wing and out of danger. Despite some brilliant play, Thetford worked the ball into Dereham’s ‘D’ and scored. Undeterred by this, Dereham struck back hard resulting in a goal, scored by Ellie Boyce. This boost was what Dereham needed, and with new confidence the play was kept predominantly in Thetford’s half. Not long after the Dereham’s first goal, a Short Corner was awarded, from which Charlotte Reeve scored the second for Dereham. Although Dereham was playing well, Thetford managed to battle through and made some good attacks on goal and kept Dereham’s defence busy, until the whistle blew for half-time.

After some words of wisdom and encouragement from Captain Heather Morgan, play resumed with the score at 2 – 1 to Dereham. It was clear that the second half was more intense with both teams fighting for victory. Within 15 minutes both Thetford and Dereham had scored leaving the score at 3 – 2. Thetford gained even more drive to even the score, but were met with equal determination and after some brilliantly play and skilful passing, Zoe Leverett scored, what was to be, Dereham’s fourth and final goal of the game. During the final minutes of the game, Thetford went for the push and battled for that goal, however the whistle blew and the game ended 4 – 2 to Dereham.