Write-up by Josh

Following their win against Bristol City, Dragons knew that a win against Taunton would seal the league championship in their debut season. But Taunton had been improving steadily over the year and are certainly not opponents likely to lie down. In David Hill and Guy Aked they had two players with over 50 league goals between them this season, and they also featured a debutant, Ingmar, who’d played at the highest level in the Dutch league, who would clearly be a major threat.

Taunton took an early lead, Chris being drawn into a foul by David’s quick turn, and Guy netted the penalty. After some early possession was wasted, Dragons set themselves up better with Remco scoring a running-in shot. At the other end, Angharad chose the perfect moment to score her first goal in the first team (to add to 20 for the seconds), and Dragons had the lead. It was only brief though, Ingmar scoring from long range. Remco’s penalty after he was fouled on a running in shot restored the Dragons lead, and Sian scored from Josh’s feed to double it. Again Ingmar responded for Taunton, but Chris was given too much space by their defence and his shooting was as deadly as usual. When Josh finally managed to make a break past his marker count from Sian’s feed, the Dragons lead was 6-3. But any feeling of relaxation was to be short-lived as David and Ingmar hit from long range. Joey’s long shot proved to be the last score of the half, and 7-5 was the position at the interval.

David scored again to bring Taunton to within 1 after half-time, but Dragons success has been built around surges of goals in the second half and they found another one now. After a long period of frustration in attack, Remco managed to drop a long shot, then Joey scored from the half way line. Chris did the same, then Remco got his fourth. 11-6 and Dragons were now comfortable. Taunton did pull one back, but they were now really struggling to control Joey and Chris. First, Joey spotted Chris’s marker dropping off to far and Chris found the finish, then with his marker too concerned about his pace to get tight, Joey finished from mid-court. Even at 13-7, Taunton still managed to provide a scare with 2 quick goals. But the full time whistle ended that comeback and confirmed the Dragons triumph.

To win the league is always an impressive achievement, but to do so in their first season as a team was a great effort by the Dragons. The most crucial aspect of their performances was the ability of all the players in the squad to come into the team and make a vital difference, and everyone who appeared in the firsts this year can claim to have made an indispensable contribution to the championship.

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