Newsletter - April 2007

Action from Vikings 1 vs City 3.

League Status Update;

Four games were played in the last month. It didn’t start off too well, with Vikings 2 losing at home to Uni 2, and Vikings 1 losing away to Lions 2. But Vikings 2 picked up a victory away at City 5, finishing 5^th in the development league. That was followed up by Vikings 1’s impressive home win against Lions 3 – the first home win of the season – to go 5^th equal in league 2, with one match left to play.

Special mentions go to Barry and Harriet who scored their first goals in the last month.

Links to the league tables and player statistics can be found via the Vikings website;

www.vikingskorfball.btik.com

Vikings Player Stats: Goal Scorers

Up to Apr 10^th

Match Report: VIKINGS 1 vs LIONS 3

Ely Vikings (I) – 11, Littleport Lions (III) – 5

1st attack: Mike, Wally, Mo and Amy (Laura W)

Defence: Tom, Rob, Harriet and Julie.

“In the penultimate game of the season Ely Vikings finally recorded their first home win, which was particularly sweet as it came against local rivals Littleport Lions.  The game started in a peculiar fashion as Lions were temporarily missing a female player, which for a while meant that Amy was without a marker and unfortunately could not shoot.”

  “The first-half was a closely fought and fast paced affair.  Vikings made a fast attacking start, taking an early 2-0 lead through goals from Mo and Mike before being pegged back by two goals from Lions.  However, Vikings responded and went into half-time 4-2 ahead with further goal from Mo, and a delighted Amy.”

  “In the second-half Vikings showed a step up in class with some strong team play and sharp passing.  They dominated the game and ran away 11-5 winners.   Mo completed her hat trick whilst the other goals were shared out amongst the team including Harriet, Mike, Rob, Tom and Wally.  At last Coach Matthews had a broad smile across his face at the final whistle.”

- match report by Rob

Rule of the Month – Defended Shot

One of the unique things about korfball is that you cannot shoot if you are being defended. In order to defend someone, there are four things you must be doing when the attacker shoots.

The Defender must:

- Be closer to the post than the attacker.

- Be close enough to the attacker to touch them (but without actually touching them).

- Have their hand up defending the ball.

- Be looking at the attacker.

If the defender is not doing ALL of these things, the attacker can shoot. If someone shoots while being defended, it will result in a restart for the defending team.

Notice Board

Remember to check the white board at each practice as this may contain information regarding forthcoming fixtures and events.

NEW – check out the Coaches’ Blogs

Mo: http://vikingcoach.wordpress.com/

Andy: http://vikingcoach2.wordpress.com/

Take a Walk!

To help raise money for the club a sponsored walk is taking place on Sunday 29th April 2007. (Deb Duffield has sponsorship forms if you do not already have one). The Club Chairman has offered to give a prize to the walker who raises the most money. The route is from Barton Square down Back Hill over the railway crossing along the river bank to Queen Adelaide, through Queen Adelaide along by the Common going onto Broad Street, through Ely Park and back to Barton Square. The course is approximately 5 miles. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

Vikings Juniors Report – by Mo

On Saturday the 17^th March, the Viking U13 team took on other teams from across the East of England in a friendly tournament organised by Norwich City Korfball Club. Vikings played fantastically as a team throughout the day and won all of their matches (well, bar one slip up against a very experienced Norwich City side). Vikings improved their performance in every game they played and demonstrated some excellent Korfball in their final match. Playing the ball round using 4-0, then setting the attack up into a 2-2 formation! Andy and Mo stood at the sidelines looking pretty smug, while the rest of the Korfball coaches in the hall raised their eyebrows and nodded their heads, impressed with standard of the 'new' club in town. Some excellent individual performances from Alex Seabright, Robyn Seabright, and Eleanor Freeman all saw them earn their horns. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the fab team-work and shooting between James 'Bugs' Evans and Ollie Watts – those boys were non-stop!

The U13 team will be playing in the B.K.A. U13 National Championships this Saturday.

photos from Vikings 1 vs City 3

1. Martin feeds to Julie 2. Rob takes a long shot

Announcements

• Get Well Soon Nick – Our Chairman Nick recently had an operation, and we’d like to wish him a speedy recovery. If you’re lucky, he might show you his scar!

• August Break – there will be no training during the month of August. This will be a rest period, although we will still be playing tournaments. Training will restart in September.

Head Coach’s Comments

TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.

How true is that - All of Vikings wins are through this.

I, as well as the coaches, committee and supporters, have seen the improvements in our game play, and it’s good to see and hear the confidence on court. It’s even better when I hear that you know when you have done something wrong, as it means that you are improving and looking to do the right thing. I strongly believe that good technique and playing in the style we do will bring success, and you as players will grow in confidence and skills. Keep it up!!

Lee

P.S. I am taking names and booking seats for the Holland trip so get your reservations made now.

Quiz Time

1 2 3 4 5 6

Q1. Who wears shirt number 39?

Q2. Which two guys are in the collect position?

Q3. Who appears to have gone radioactive?

Q4. Who’s this taking a penalty?

Q5. Who wears these trainers?

Q6. Who plays in shirt number 4?

(Answers next month)

Forthcoming Events

Last match of the season:

Monday April 16^th, Ely College, 7:50pm –

VIKINGS 1 v Tigers 4,

Plus;

BKA U13 Championship – April 21^st

Sponsored Walk – April 29^th

End of Season Dinner – May 25^th

AGM – May 29^th

Vikings Tournament – June 16-17^th

Trip to Holland – August 24-27^th

Visit the Vikings website; www.vikingskorfball.btik.com 

If anyone has any suggestions about the newsletter, or would like to contribute to future newsletters, please let Sam or Andy know. All feedback gratefully received.

Littleport Lions IV – 4  Ely Vikings II - 5



 

1st attack: Barry (Daniel), Harriet, Ryan and Sam
 Defence: Amy, Annette, 
Clyde
 and Wally (Mike) 

A strong second half performance saw Ely Vikings snatch victory from the Littleport Lions.



“Vikings 2 entered the lion's den in Littleport on Friday 2nd March for what turned out to be a highly competitive and closely fought game of Korfball.” 
“Ryan Middleton captained Vikings on his 15th birthday and 
Clyde
 was making his debut in a Viking's shirt.  Despite a number of chances Vikings were unable to score in the first half and Lions took a narrow 2-0 into the interval.  The away side returned refreshed after the break and the early pressure resulted in two early goals from Clyde and second half substitute Mike to bring the scores level.” 





“However, the lead did not last for long as Lions quickly responded to go ahead 4-2.  Vikings were not to be denied and fought back again as a goal each by the dynamic duo of 
Clyde
 and Mike set a tense finale.  The game was won in the last few minutes as Sam scored for Vikings with a running in shot.  The celebrations from the team and the supporters were loud for what was a thrilling and deserved local derby win.” 





- match report by Rob





 










 

                                                   Up to Mar 10^th

Vikings Yellow vs Vikings Black

On Feb 19^th, civil war broke out in Ely.  It was Vikings versus Vikings, divided only by the colour of their shirts.  The home shirt team in black, lead by Martin, faced off against Andy’s yellow team, in the away kit.

The match was split into three halves (or should that be quarters?), with unlimited subs.  And both teams played in a good competitive spirit, eager to show their teammates what they could do.

It was a close affair, and fittingly finished 4-4, although each team had chances to win near the end.  Tom was the top scorer, with two goals for the yellow team – one penalty and one running-in shot.  Mike and Jerram added short shots.  The black shirt scorers were Julie (penalty), Martin, Laura W and Sam (all long shots).

final score: Black Team 4 – Yellow Team 4

Announcements