With the wind on their backs and the sun paving the way, BDHC Ladies 1s were primed to face the return leg game against their rivals for the day, Cambridge Nomads 1s.

Bracing for the away team’s first pushback, the Dragons keenly watched to glean how the opposition played. The Dragons were soon to impose themselves and intercept, taking possession with impressive midfielders Carol Murray, Liz Nunn, Libby Moore and Jenny Williams. This immediate turnover forced Nomads onto their back foot, with zealous forwards Keira Maxey, Ella Henson, Alessia Russo and Grace Gowing working for a chance to face the keeper.

Nomads were quick to rebuff any advances and soon headed back down the other end of the pitch to regain their composure and retaliate against the Dragons. Yet, the away team were met with resistance; facing the level-headed defensive lineup of Vicky Mumby, Viv Carveth, Isia Jasińska and goalie Eliana Russo. The Nomads were back-pedalling as they had lost their attack and possession.

This game of back and forth play saw both teams seemingly on a level playing field. With smart thinking and solid entwined passes, this stalemate was soon broken as Jenny Williams stormed through and shot the ball past the keeper. The Dragons had taken first blood; 1-0.

Taking the advantage, the Dragons were stepping into the game and taking the upper hand. With her energetic pace, Grace Gowing trounced the Nomads defensive and on her reverse, fired a ball at the goal, beating the keeper. The Dragons were pushing ahead, 2-0.

Alas, the game was still afoot. Nomads were desperate to hold off the home team, managing to break the play and force the Dragons to retreat, but the Dragons were hungry for more. Working the widths and slick proactive passes, the Dragons advanced up the pitch weaving between the Nomad players. Back for more, Grace Gowing batted the Nomads’ defence off like flies and took her shot, finding the back board. The Dragons were pulling away, 3-0.

Nomads were wrestling to stay in the game and weren’t going down without a fight. Earning themselves a short corner, the away team shot a ball at the post slipping past the Dragons’ defence and finding the back board. As the first half came to a close, The Dragons were inching away, 3-1.
Keeping their eyes on the prize, prudent Dragons remained composed and were thrumming with zeal to take the game away from the visiting team. Goalie Eliana Russo slid into action, stopping the ball’s trajectory and Nomads in their tracks to offload the ball to reverse the possession and game play. Making the ball do the work and using all their players, the Dragons spread the ball across the pitch to break up the opposition and pierce through to the D. With an ensemble of hard work and determination behind the ball, Grace Gowing stole the show and smashed the ball into the back corner to give her a well deserved hat trick. The Dragons were adding fuel to their fire; 4-1.

Trying to get anything to bring themselves back into the game, the Nomads were rewarded with various short corners. Despite staving off the first couple of attacks, the Nomads managed to find a chink in the Dragons’ armour, with the ball finding the backboard. Digging their claws in, Nomads weren’t going to let the Dragons fly away with the game; 4-2.

Unbeknownst to Nomads, the Dragons were relentless and weren’t so easily bested. A tense melee in the Nomads’ D left players scrambling for the ball, with Kiera Maxey nudging the ball over the line; 5-2.

To add insult to injury, the Dragons weren’t yet finished. Back for more, Grace Gowing sealed the game with her fourth and final goal giving the Dragons a 6-2 win. With a diverse range of nominations for man of the match, tied for the prize were Grace Gowing and Keira Maxey for their stunning game play and hard work on and off the ball.