HOCKEY: Another 3-3 draw and another hard- earned point against Dereham last Saturday sees Ipswich still leading the Printwize East Premier League but this time only on goal difference from newly promoted Letchworth.

HOCKEY

Another 3-3 draw and another hard- earned point against Dereham last Saturday sees Ipswich still leading the Printwize East Premier League but this time only on goal difference from newly promoted Letchworth.

Ipswich went very close to losing their unbeaten record against Dereham but such a fright provides a very valuable reminder that there are no easy games in this division.

Ipswich will do well to remember that as they enter tomorrow's tough home match against a Gravesend side struggling with their form.

Gravesend are always a difficult side for Ipswich to play, they are very good at defending and hitting on the counter.

Ipswich will have to be alert to this and will be looking for a much better start to the match than last week.

Welcomed back into the squad having recovered from her knee injury is Sophie Sheldrake, and with fellow striker Jo Gray also back to full health after playing with a heavy cold last week, Ipswich will be looking to put Gravesend under pressure right form the start.

Ipswich defender Dawn Course knows this match is vital if Ipswich want to go into the Christmas break on top

"Complacency had crept into the team over the last couple of weeks and we nearly paid the price against Dereham.

"We know that we must raise our game and attitude to the next level if we want to stay at the top of this league. Saturday's match is a great chance for us to prove that we can play good hockey for the entire 70 minutes, rather than leaving it to when we are chasing the game."

AFTER last week's confident display IES Ladies are ready to welcome St Ives.

Again the home side must rely on clean punchy passing and determination on and off the ball. Although the Rushmere-based side hold a healthy position in the league tables this is not a time to become complacent,

Captain Fran Poppleton will again be looking for composure on the ball, determination in defence and flair in the forwards.

Three points and goals are the aim of this weekend's match which is at 11.30am at Woodbridge School.

The second team play at home against Castaways and the thirds take on Castaways seconds.

CRANE continue to improve in the Printwize Division Four SE League in this reversal of last season's 5-1 loss against Upminster second XI.

Cranes started strongly when Mark Day cut in from the left to score the opener. Midfield maestro Paul Arthy combined with Day to produce Cranes second goal shortly after.

A lapse in concentration resulted in the visitors claiming one back after a goalline clearance deflected on the rear of the keeper's kicker.

Concentration regained, Cranes continued to press and Simon Holland poached his first goal. Aiden Bloomfield continued his purple patch by adding two stunning individual goals to the first half route.

The second half saw sustained Cranes' pressure but they failed to produce any further goals.

Bloomfield missed a number of clear-cut chances to complete his third hat-trick of the season.