Diss Ladies 3, North Walsham 2ON a perfect day for hockey, near-perfect hockey was played by both sides. After a huge win last week North Walsham came to Diss with high hopes, but found a skilful Diss side in no mood to be beaten, in fact Diss took an early lead when Alice Brown finished off a good move.

Diss Ladies 3, North Walsham 2

ON a perfect day for hockey, near-perfect hockey was played by both sides.

After a huge win last week North Walsham came to Diss with high hopes, but found a skilful Diss side in no mood to be beaten, in fact Diss took an early lead when Alice Brown finished off a good move.

This spurred Walsham on and they then had their best spell of the match. They pinned Diss into their own D for nearly 10 minutes but couldn't beat a determined and well-organised defence.

Diss then started to play some fantastic hockey which saw them take a 2-0 lead thanks once again to Brown.

Just before half-time Walsham got a goal back with a quick breakaway goal.

The second half had hardly begun and Walsham had equalised, Diss failed to clear their lines and Walsham were level. With Walsham coming back from two down you would have expected them to drive on, but it was Diss who showed great character to take the game to Walsham.

The Diss midfield played quick intricate passes that Walsham had no answer to, with Gaby Rolingson, Sam Howard and Lucy Kershaw pulling the strings.

With 10 minutes left Emily Crossland scored a deserved goal to win the game for Diss. The final few minutes Walsham pressed to get the equaliser and they came close on a couple of occasions but some heroic defending from Pam Keely kept them out. Lucy Kershaw could have scored a late breakaway but was thwarted with a last-ditch tackle.

This was a great advert for ladies hockey with both teams playing skilful, fast and attacking hockey.

Diss player of the match was a close call with Diane Marshall just shading it.