Norwich Knights claim historic win
Norwich Knights caused an big upset in the England Korfball semi finals to defeat Bec and secure a place in their first ever final.
The teams served up a classic encounter which the big crowd at K2 Crawley couldn’t keep their eyes off – with Norwich surviving a late Bec onslaught to claim the historic win.
The first half was a tight affair, with no more than two goals in it at any point. Blake Palfreyman opened the scoring for Bec, only for Charlie Vogwill responded for Norwich straight away.
The teams continued to trade goals – Helen West, Joe Bedford, Davesh Patel, and Palfreyman notching for Bec. With Vogwill, with two, and Paul Debenham for Norwich ensuring they remained level.
Norwich then got their noses in front by two goals through Claire Dique and Heather Stokes, only for Bec to come back into it again through Amy Swain and Palfreyman.
With the tension and atmosphere building from the Bec and Norwich Knights supporters, both sides were struggling to find the next goal.
Stan Dunn for Norwich did eventually find a way through the Bec backline, but a Patel penalty restored parity again almost immediately.
The period either side of half time would prove crucial in the match – with Norwich scoring two unanswered goals just before, and just after the break to take a four goal lead. Vogwill got two of them, with Dunn and Dique adding the others.
With Norwich firmly in the ascendancy their travelling supporters were starting to make themselves heard.
Bec, who are used to playing in big matches and would have been relishing the atmosphere, duly came back into the game through Joe Bedford, Palfreyman and Caitlin Fitzgerald.
Any immediate danger of a Bec comeback was extinguished in the next Norwich attack with a Dunn goal, which restored a two goal lead.
Vogwill, who was on good form, restored a three goal lead, but with Norwich’s nerves clearly showing Bec got back into it again through Palfreyman and Patel. The score 13-14.
Bec were pushing, but not breaking through the determined rearguard action from Norwich. After a long period without a goal, it was Debenham who notched for Norwich. But Bec were not going to roll over and they got back within a goal again through Bedford.
Just when it looked like Bec might equalise with time running low, Norwich captain Vogwill stepped up to convert a penalty to restore a two goal lead.
Andrew Hall for Bec ensured a nervy finish to the game. But it was a Debenham penalty which secured the game for Norwich with time running out. The final score 15-17.
The delight was clear to see on the faces of the Norwich players, coaches and supporters at the final whistle. Having been the only team to beat Trojans this season, they will fancy their chances of causing another upset in the final.
The final takes place from 4.30pm at K2 Crawley, 7th May 2017.
