Premier League roundup – Week 4
It is advantage BEC after week four of the England Korfball League after last season’s runners-up defeated defending champions Trojans 24-21 in a thrilling match at the Whitgift Sports Centre in Croydon.
There were wins also for Norwich Knights and Kingfisher in yesterdays (23 November) England Korfball League matches.
Knights move up into 2nd place with Trojans dropping down into 4th place – all other league positions remain as they were.
BEC 24-21 TROJANS (HT 11-10) – Referee: Dean Woods
In a repeat of last season’s play-off final, England’s top two club sides met for the first time in the 2014/15 season at Whitgift Sports Centre.
Bec coach Dave Buckland had a full squad to select from; the Bec squad that faced Trojans consisted of nine players of the current England senior squad. Trojans coach Gary Brooks was without England international Steph Allen.
Speaking after the match Trojans coach Gary Brooks said “It was not the result we would have wanted today. However we will take the positive from the game in preparation for the Europa Cup”
Blake Palfreyman and captain Davesh Patel top scored for the home side with 5 goals each, with all of Palfreyman’s goals coming from open play.
England international Joe Bedford who scored two goals in the game for Bec said “Fantastic result and performance from the team today. I believe this is the first time in Bec’s history that we have beaten Trojans’ 1st team, so a huge achievement for the club.
“It is a long season, but we have had some great results so far, and the momentum is building nicely.”
Bec’s coach Dave Buckland speaking about the result said: “Bec deserved the win. We put a good team performance in today. It was a great game to watch with both teams scoring some well worked goals. I was pleased because it shows that our preparation for the Europa Shield is going well. Good to see so many people come down to watch a great game of korfball. First blood to BEC!”
Stan Dunn, David Brooks and Tony Woodvine top scored for Trojans with four goals each.
The two teams will meet next in the England Korfball League on Sunday 15 February 2015 at Trinity Sports Centre, Croydon. Trojans will hope to have Allen and Amy Turner available – a match not to be missed!
NORWICH KNIGHTS 24-19 TORNADOES – Referee: Azi Sieber, Assistant: Adam Dibble
England international Charlie Vogwill and upcoming star Josh Rowe top scored for Norwich Knights with 8 goals each against Tornadoes in a fast paced and physical match at UEA’s Sportspark arena in Norwich.
Norwich Knights coach Joe Stirling said “It was a fast paced exciting game. Tornadoes never gave in clawing back a 4 goal deficit at half-time. We showed real strength in our character to remain composed, leading to Debenham scoring a pressure penalty to regain momentum. Rowe was in fine form scoring 8 goals.”
England u21 internationals Owen Bailey (8) and Daniel Brown (7) top scored for the visitors, with all of Brown’s goals coming from open play.
Tornadoes coach Corinne Buckland speaking about the defeat said “Again a good performance, we came back in the 2nd half, and with good shooting from Knights, they closed out the game. I’m pleased with our performance and am looking forward to the rest of the season”
BIRMINGHAM CITY 18-21 KINGFISHER (HT 12-14) – Referee: Alan Lewis
“Today was a good day, our new style is starting to pay off, our passing and movement was great for the majority of the game. Birmingham put in a good performance as well so made the game tough. Ryan Medurst was our standout player of the day scoring 7 goals from open play” Ross Carr-Taylor
Player/coach Jess Beale of Birmingham City said “The first half of the game saw both teams trading goals in quite a physical game. I felt that going into the half-time break we were the stronger team – the momentum in our favour, only down by two goals”. The half-time however proved to come at the wrong time for us. Kingfisher came out shooting well and their new defensive tactics shut down our attack at times. Incredibly frustrating to lose after coming so close but Kingfisher will know not to underestimate us when they come to play us again in the last game of the season.
“Our goals came from all over the pitch and throughout the team. Kingfisher’s Ryan Medhurst was shooting really well, rarely missing and ultimately his 7 goals came at the right time for Kingfisher. ”
The England Korfball League returns next weekend with matches on both Saturday and Sunday.