HOCKEY: RAF Coningsby revel in success

Marham’s pitch has been closed and so the teams had to meet at Pelicans Hockey Club in Kings Lynn.

Coningsby took a strong team of 14 expecting Marham to field their strongest, with it being their home game. Unfortunately, both Marham and Leeming couldn’t field a full 11 each and as such had to amalgamate the available players.

Coningsby were on first, playing their toughest rivals (albeit weakened) Marham. The first half showed some quality defending from both sides and saw very little in way of goal scoring opportunities.

Going in at 0-0, Marham felt they had had the better half, but Coningsby came out fighting after the break, with SAC Chris Ellis picking out Cpl Mark Jennings with a pass, who then lobbed the ball past the flailing arm of the Marham goalkeeper.

A second goal was scored by debutant Josh with a nice ball passed across the D to the awaiting stick of Josh on the back post. Coningsby ran out winners 2-0 in a very tight and closely fought match.

The second game for Coningsby came up immediately, the opposition changing the few people that had supplemented for Marham and the game ensued.

Coningsby were already warmed up, although tired, and this showed with the immediate speed and ferocity that Coningsby showed, with Ellis scoring a first half hat-trick, supplied by SAC Alex Newton.

The game became more open in the second half due to the tired legs and the willingness to push forward with the new formation of 3-4-1-2. Other goals from Alex, SAC Stephen Evans and SAC Conner Brook meant the score line soon read 9-0.

Two excellent performances from the whole team, with special mentions to Josh who scored on his debut and assisted a goal, along with SAC Chantelle Lotts and SAC Zoe Bell, who both defended excellently and many a time found themselves out of their comfort zones and still exceeded.