Author: Ariella

Essex Open D clinched the Division 7 title with an emphatic 61-28 win over Romford D
GK Hannah Mortimer
GD Shivalee Sharma
WD Sharmikha Chandrakumar
C Louisa Gibson
WA Edie Dunn
GA Maddie Oshodi
GS Leah May

This was another easy victory for Essex Open D as they demolished Romford D 61-28. The perfect shooting partnership of Leah and Maddie continues to wreak havoc with the opposition as their goal tally remains one of the best in the league. The first quarter started strongly with Louisa easily finding Edie and Maddie from the centre spot. And despite Romford coming back from what should have been 3-0 down to level the score at 2-2, Essex were rampant thereafter. Essex dictated the pace and with consummate accuracy and pace the shooters were delivered a succession of fine and creative passes to open up space in the circle, which pleased Lisa Brown as she kept saying “nice triangles!” Leah and Maddie hardly missed and the quarter ended 18-9 Essex. The second quarter saw more of the same with the defence of Hannah and Shivalee controlling their circle, generating several turnovers. Sharmikha also made several timely interceptions turning defence into attack and barring a catastrophe the result was never in doubt with the quarter finishing 34-15. Some sloppy play crept in during the third quarter as we tried to force the ball more and more into the circle rather than taking the easier option of playing the ball around. But the shooters remained in control and worked hard to pile on the goals, with some fabulous long range shots from Leah. Sharmikha took a heavy fall but quickly composed herself and continued to frustrate the Romford WA, with the quarter ending 46-21. With Romford now clearly flagging and the fitness of our girls showing, Essex continued with the pressure with Louisa racing up and down the court linking up with Shivalee in defence and Edie in attack. The best pass of the match came from Edie from inside the centre third. The ball floated over everyone’s heads to the outstretched arms of Maddie in a congested circle. Goal scored. Job done. Final score 61-28 Essex.

Essex go to the top of the Regional League after defeating Queens 46-40, whilst Tiffin lost to Eclipse.
Queens 40 Essex 46

Essex went to the top of the Regional League after a hard fought victory at lowly Queens on Saturday. As it turned out the first quarter proved to be decisive. Essex started well with Zoie Humphrey scoring some crucial early goals. Queens fought back hard but poor shooting and some excellent interceptions from Michelle Stewart meant that Essex were able to take a 14-8 advantage into the second quarter.
The second quarter saw Essex involved in a real battle with Sarah Biss, Sam Dick and Sarah Campbell having to work hard to contain a determined Queens side. Queens started the quarter well and scored 4 goals without reply to reduce the arrears to a mere 2 goals as Essex led 14-12. Some good shooting from Leah Hazledon and Humphrey got Essex back on top again and just prior to half time Essex were able to score 6 quick goals to take a 24-17 lead into the interval.
Essex made some changes at half time to freshen things up and Rebecca Wilks and Leanne Spencer came into the centre court. The third quarter was end to end stuff as neither side could take the initiative. In a tense, tight quarter both sides scored 11 goals each as the third quarter finished with Essex still 7 ahead leading 37-30 with Humphrey scoring just before the whistle went.
As expected Queens made a determined effort at the start of the last quarter but they could not make inroads into the deficit. Mid way through the final quarter Essex had the game under control and when the final whistle went Essex led 46-40 and move to the top of the league
Team: Stewart, Tynan, Campbell, Biss, Dick, Hazledon, Humphrey, R Wilks, Spencer

Essex enjoyed a comfortable 60-37 victory over Gems today in the Regional League at Redbridge sports Centre.
Essex Open 60 Gems 37

Following their defeat against New Cambell in their last Regional league game, Essex returned to winning ways against lowly Gems. Although Essex dominated the centre court from the outset as a result of good work from Sam Dick, Stephanie Driver and Sarah Biss, they failed to take advantage of their opportunities and in the early stages Gems matched Essex goal for goal. After 5 minutes or so the score stood at 4-4 and it promised to be a tight game.
However Zoie Humphrey started to find the net and Essex eased in front to lead 12-7 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Essex built a substantial lead as they began to dominate the game. Michelle Stewart was excellent in defence as usual and she was ably supported by debutant Rosie Jamieson at goal defence. With Humphrey and Leah Hazledon dominating the circle Essex took a 28-16 lead into the second half.
With Rebecca Wilks coming on as a half time replacement Essex continued to maintain their supremacy and further extended their advantage to 44-27 with a quarter to go.
Rochelle Reynols-Blanche came on for the last quarter and ensured that Essex maintained their dominance through to the end. With Humphrey shooting consistently and Reynolds-Blanche proving to be a handful in the circle, Essex were able to run away 60-37 victors.

Photos from the game under the Photos section.
Stewart, Jamieson, Driver, Biss, Dick, Humphrey, Hazledon, Wilks, Reynolds-Blanche.

The U13’s had a challenging day at Turnford tournament as the girls faced teams that were new and unheard of.
The U13’s had a challenging day at Turnford tournament as the girls faced teams that were new and unheard of, such as Parkside, Nottingham and Trinity.
Winning every match in their rounds took them to semi finals where we played Tegate. Having an up and down history with them the girls managed to pull it out of the bag and had an amazing performance with defence tight on their players and attack feeding the shooters beautifully, and getting in some breath taking shots.
We then faced Turnford in the finals. The girls went out fighting, holding their own in the first half scoring the first couple of goals and defence making some great turnovers. We then went into the second half of the match 4-3 down few mistakes allowed Turnford to win the game 7-3
Despite losing I feel the girls are now ready to fight for the next title!!
Congratulations and well played girls.
Players: A Bromley, A Cashman, Y Toweh, N Bentley, S Southall, J Odeogberin, T Burke, G Batt, C Collier,

The under 13s had a thrilling day at the Chelmsford tournament this weekend
The under 13s had a thrilling day at the Chelmsford tournament this weekend. Our section was a very big Round Robin with 12 teams competing; so it was a busy day!
We started our campaign well, beating Crosskeys 5-0. We then went on to beat Chelmsford 2-0 in pouring rain! We gave our first goals away against Braintree Jade but still beat them 6-2. We then had a great win over CD Phoenix , beating them 9-0. Our first (& only) defeat came next against Turnford who very narrowly & frustratingly beat us 4-3 . With a round robin set up its easy to think that one defeat can end your chances of winning the tournament , but our team came back strongly and beat CD Phoenix Diamonds 9-1 following that with a 10- 0 victory over Kats Falcons. We went on to beat Yendys 4-1 and had a good victory over Tegate beating them 7-3. At this point we discovered Turnford had been beaten by Tegate, so we knew if we won our last 3 games we would win the tournament. We played brilliantly against Flames beating them 8-2, then won against Conquerors 5-1. Our final match was against Brentwood who we had already beaten twice this season. However they put up a strong opposition until finally we pulled away coming out with a 7-1 win. This made us tournament champions and we were thrilled to win the trophy & look forward to many more victories!
Players: Yoma, Angelica, Jasmin, Eloise, Abbie, Holly, Niamh & Teri

Essex Open started their preparations for the 2014 season with a get together in the West End.
Essex Open celebrated the forthcoming marriages of Jenny Wilks and Stacey Jackson with a night out in the West End!!!!

Essex Open u14s competed at the annual Crosskeys tournament in Harlow.
Results were wins against Hillcrest 7-5, Crosskeys 15-0, Hornets B 8-3, Brentwood 8-4, Turnford B 6-1 and Chelmsford 4-2.

This set up what was always going to be a tense final against near rivals Turnford A.

The team remained calm, composed and focused throughout and really rattled their opponents, enjoying a well deserved win with the final score Essex Open 6-3 Turnford.

Team- Archard, Carver, Chandrakumar, Gibson, Glenn, King, May, Oshodi and Watkins

After yet another great day at Redbridge Sports. Cente Essex have secured the Division 4, 8 and 10 titles in the Essex Met League.
Essex Open A 37 Langdon 32

Essex consolidated their 3rd position in Division 1 with a hard earned victory over Langdon. The first quarter was very even and at the end of it Essex trailed by a solitary goal losing 10-9. A battling performance in the second quarter was rewarded as Essex moved into a two goal lead at half time. In the third quarter Essex extended their lead and managed to establish a 5 goal advantage. Although Langon never gave up they were not able to reduce the deficit and at the end of the game Essex emerged as victors 37-32.

Essex Open B 66 Salisbury Ladies 21

Essex Open B confirmed their status as Division 4 champions with an emphatic victory over Salisbury Ladies. Boosted by the return of Beth Lamb Essex dominated from the first whistle and were able to score at frequent intervals. By the end of the first quarter Essex had effectively won the game as they held a 17-6 lead. By half time they had almost doubled this as they extended their advantage to 32-13. The second half followed a similar pattern and when the final whistle went Essex had secured another emphatic victory winning by the huge margin of 66-21.

Essex Open 36 Dolly Mixtures 17

Essex secured a hard earned victory over Dolly Mixtures who had beaten them in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season. The game was effectively decided in the first quarter when Essex went 7-1 in front. Essex continued to dominate the centre court with Ellie Mann, Mollie Murphy and. Ellie Masters providing plenty of chances for the shooters. at half time Essex had extended their lead to 18-6. The second half followed a similar pattern to the first and at the end of the game Essex had secured a comfortable victory.

Essex Open D 56 Emeralds 21

Essex Open D cliched the division 8 title with a big win over Emeralds. Essex have won 12 of their 13 league games this season. Never troubled from the outset Essex powered to an impressive victory.

Other News
Essex Open E although not playing have won the Division 10 title in style having won all 13 of their league matches.