Walsham make flying start

North Walsham were 3-0 winners at Harleston Magpies Colts A as the Martin & Acock Premier Division season got under way.

Playing a new formation, Ellen Vanlint put them in front with a well-angled shot following some good individual stick skills before Shauna Mcdougall added the second.

Harleston did not let Walsham sit on their lead and pushed forward. But Min Tallowin, playing her first game for Walsham, defended strongly alongside Fi Spencer.

Sue Gardiner made it 3-0 to before half-time and though Harleston came out the more positive side in the second half, they found Walsham's experience difficult to break down.

Norwich Union III were 4-2 winners over visiting Norwich City II, who were led by a new captain in Amy Davidson.

City started well but went behind when Union scored against the run of play and suffered another setback when a shot which looked to be heading wide was deflected into the goal by a City defender's stick.

Another break saw Union finish the first half 3-0 ahead and though City came out determined in the second half they went 4-0 down when another Union shot from the top of the circle was deflected in.

Eventually, with 15 minutes to go, Katie Taubman's skill and speed set up a goal for Katy Stoker and City believed a comeback was on the cards when Taubman again provided the pass for Stoker's second. But despite two penalty corners in the final minutes, it proved a bridge too far.

Evergreens drew 1-1 at home to Watton on their Premier Division debut.

For the first 20 minutes they were pegged back in their half and Watton took the lead after a short corner.

It was the wake-up call the hosts needed and they began to play quick flowing passing hockey that they played so admiringly last season.

Greens eventually got a deserved equaliser just before half-time when debutant Stacy Howarth scored after good work by Hirst and Murfit.

Sprowston were 3-1 winners at league newcomers Reepham, with Paula Kent opening the scoring with a well-drilled short corner routine. The second and third were quick to follow, from Amy Butler and Becky Cox.

Sprowston forced several more good chances before half-time, but with players from both teams struggling in the heat after half-time, it was Reepham who kept pushing forward, eventually getting a consolation goal from Wendy Lake minutes from time.

Briston fought off battling Broadland to claim a 4-2 away win. The visitors went ahead through Tracy Toyne's strike midway through the first half, but Danni Pointer fired a short corner to equalise, only for some poor defending to allow Ruth Thomas the easiest of chances to put Briston in front again.

Broadland levelled again when Kelly Duthie latched on to a through ball and resisted some desperate tackles to advance through a mesmerised defence and slot the ball home.

Briston regained the lead when Sarah Radley's strike went through a sea of legs past the unsighted Emma Grovenor in the Broadland goal.

With Broadland looking for another equaliser Briston struck again when the experienced Gail Rudd was given time and space to fire a short corner through the legs of the home 'keeper.

Four goals in the first half and three in the second enabled Beccles to mark their return to Division One, after a three-year forced absence, with a 7-1 win at Dereham Colts.

Debbie Mann, Coral Moore and Elane Gardner - who had played in goal the previous week - each scored twice after Carol Maycock had put them in front.

The game of the day in Division One saw Watton Colts and Loddon drew 4-4. Watton took an early lead through Kimberly Ashby but Loddon hit backwith three well taken goals.

Ashby added a Watton second from a penalty flick, only for Loddon to break immediately forward to score their fourth just before half time.

In the second half, Watton salvaged a draw with goals from Beatrice Hinchliffe and Kimberley Ashby, who went on to complete her hat-trick.

North Walsham II and Denver also had a high-scoring game, Denver winning 4-3. Walsham Ladies started strongly in the first game of the season that marks the 10th anniversary of the club but found themselves 1-0 down at half time. They struck back with three goals by Helen Ogden (two) and Louise Bracy but three in the last 15 minutes from Denver tipped the game the way of the visitors.

Pelicans Colts were 5-4 winners of a Division Two thriller at Evergreens 2nds with goals from Charlotte Redhead (two), Rachel Drohan, Jane Major and Ella Picton.

Thetford Ladies were 4-0 winners at Norwich City 3rds with goals from Kathy Hammond (two), Isabel Cockayne and Tracey Newman

A goal from Paula Kent gave Sprowston 2nds a 1-0 win over Loddon.

Magpies 5ths won 2-1 at Watton with goals from Laura Potter and Sophie Hoseason.

In Division Three Dereham Colts 2nds thrashed Harleston Magpies Colts B 4-0. They went ahead after 10 minutes when Zoe Leverett crossed for Hannah Dewing to deftly turn the ball int. Leverett scored the second herself before setting up the third for Jackie Taylor. Heather Morgan scored the fourth, five minutes from time.

Hannah Tarry was named player-of-the match for her efforts at right-back while newcomers Emily Barnard and Juliette Richardson fitted in well.

Dereham Colts II are pleased to announce a new sponsor - John Younie from Unisoft Systems Limited, who designed the club website.

Broadland 2nds lost 2-0 at Diss Greyhounds, having found it difficult to cope with the hard and bumpy surface at East Harling. Newcomer Beck Shingfield blended in well.

A late goal from Jane Sheldrake was all Breckland had to show from a 2-1 home defeat to Magpies 5ths in Division Three.