Cardiff Dragons Korfball Club

Lots of exciting developments amongst Cardiff Dragons, with congratulations going to James and Kate on the birth of their first child, Elizabeth Laura; and to Rachel and Gareth on their engagement. As both developments seem likely to reduce how much korfball we’re going to get out of them, our congratulations may be through gritted teeth though!

We also have several socials lined up:

Monday 10th Nov, Pub Quiz, Little O’Neills, 7.30pm

Saturday 15th Nov, Bond Night, joint with Cardiff City. More details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35095642162

Friday 5th Dec, Mulled Wine Night, Chrissy’s House

Cardiff Fury 9-8 Dragons B

Joey Niblett (2), Remco Broekhuis (2), Sian Hunt (2), Helen Gubby (1), Pete Obee (1), Amy Shillabeer, Claire Knowles, Julie Saunders, Steve Fung

Dragons will be entering two teams into the WKL this season. One team is to be called Fireclaw, the other one is still to be determined. We’re hoping to add a few more names to both squads though to keep us going through the season.

Fireclaw Squad

• Sian Hunt
• Chrissy Rowlatt
• Hannah Blackmore
• Amy Shillabeer
• Jen Smith
• Josh Cockburn
• Steve Fung
• Steven Vaughan
• Chris Dickson
• Pete Obee

Not Fireclaw Squad

• Helen Gubby
• Julie Saunders
• Eliza Meehan
• Claire Knowles
• Dave Thomas
• Remco Broekhuis
• Magnus Dons
• Terry Matthews
• Joey Niblett
• James Frost

Squad: Jen Smith (6), Josh Cockburn (6), Joey Niblett (5), Pete Obee (5), Claire Knowles (3), Sian Hunt (3), Steve Fung (3), Helen Gubby (1), Julie Saunders (1), Jack McNamara (0), guests: Nikki Walters, Rhys(from Brum Uni).

Dragons began the season with a morale-boosting win in the Cardiff University Freshers Tournament, winning 8-5 against Cardiff City in the final. While the two club sides had a considerable advantage over the university sides competing, which had to include 4 beginners apiece, they still had to work hard to get their results. A couple of late withdrawals meant our only beginner was Claire, though if all beginners played as well as she did, then we’d probably have been better to have had more!

The tournament itself was very well run, a big improvement on the season before, with Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield and Reading Universities all represented, as well as 3 sides from Cardiff itself.

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We had our start of season meal at the Bay of Bengal on Friday, and a good time was had by all. We had planned to choose the names for the Dragons teams entering the Welsh League democratically at the meal, but Sian had to step in to prevent both teams being named after cheap jibes at Joey’s sexuality. We did get a shortlist together though, which the committee will impose dictatorially on everyone else. Democracy just doesn’t work, people.

We also now have some matches coming up, so people should start making space in their diaries.

First on the 18th October is the Cardiff University Freshers Tournament. We’re entering a team in this all day tournament, and we’ll be looking for as many beginners to play as possible. Second teamers are next in priority, but if a few first teamers want to come along and help out that’d be great too. There’s a social afterwards for anyone who wants to get drunk with lots of 18 year olds in fancy dress (theme: the letter K).

The Welsh league starts on the 25th October and both the as yet unnamed Dragons teams will be in action away at Cardiff City teams. The exact times are yet to be determined, but the preliminary hall booking at Howells School is between 10 and 1.45. All members of the club who want to play will get at least some game time, so please make sure you’re free.

Finally, the first team have been drawn away at North Downs in the first round of the EKA Cup on Sunday the 2nd November, with Bec 3 as the other opposition. The Cup is always tough, but that draw gives us 2 competitive games, assuming we can get something close to our best team out.