Final Hockey Highlights of 2024
As we end the calendar year, we’ve the final Hockey reports to share with you. Well done to all of our players this season, we look forward to reporting again later in the New Year.
Last match for our Senior leavers
In this last report of the season we celebrate our senior leavers. Last Tuesday a number of Students played their last Hockey match for Woodbridge School. Three senior teams took the pitch against RHS, a fitting way to end the season against one of our closest rivals. The players left everything on the pitch and made the last of their hockey memories together. We hope the lessons and friendships will last them long into the future and look forward to hear Hockey stories beyond School.
Thanks to Marina, Rosie, Lola, Olivia, Amelia, Rose, Charlotte P, Millie, Charlotte H, Freya, Eloise, Sophia, Phoebe, Bee and Sophie for the memories, smiles, hard work, leadership, development, fun and more you have given us over the years, some since Year 7 in Junior teams, and some leaving their mark since joining in the Sixth form. You will be remembered! Top seniors for our younger players to aspire emulating.
Junior Match Reports
Six Junior teams nearly achieved a clean sheet of victories in the last set of fixtures of the term. Junior 1 to 4 played against RHS while our Junior 5 and 6 teams took on our Prep School in their last matches; which is a great way to introduce Year 6 players to Hockey at the senior School.
The Junior 1 team didn’t get the win they deserved but delivered a top performance. A big squad played on the day, to allow multiple players reduced playing time in preparation for the Cross Country finals (which unfortunately was cancelled last minute), and each player taking the pitch delivered. Juno (Year 7) made a great debut for the Junior 1 team while Year 8’s Kirsty was dominant at outside midfield, also scoring a lovely goal on the far post. Jasmin saved her best game for last, 3D skills and other eliminations, good decision making and distribution and working tirelessly.
Year 8’s Lottie showed her experience and skill with a composed performance at left back.
Well done to Lottie and Jasmin on the joint Player of the Match award.
The Junior 2 team got their second win on the trot. An end to end game, with some excellent goalkeeping at either end, saw both teams create chances. Year 8’s Imogen was unlucky to hit the post twice in great attempts at goal! Year 8’s Rebecca and Evie combined excellently, with Rebecca confidently driving up the right, and laying the ball into the D for Evie to score. A superb effort from the 2s, putting all they have learned together to get the win.
In their final match together as a Junior 3 squad, we took the game to RHS and showed some lovely passing and skill on the ball, as well as incredible work rate! The first goal was scored thanks to excellent work again down the right from Year 8’s Bella who sent a fizzing ball across the goal to another Year 8, India B, for a tap-in in what was her first match promoted to the 3s.
A narrow one goal lead was maintained until half time despite the occasional counter attack from RHS dealt with well by our defenders and goalkeeper. The second half started well with tireless pressing from Year 8’s Jemima, able to win the ball back very high up the pitch and convert her turnover into a goal. In the closing minutes, our resident ‘Duracell bunny’, Year 7’s Tati was the recipient of another pass from Bella; keeping going rebound after rebound Tati was able to breach the RHS goal once again.
A fitting finale for a brilliant Junior 3 side.
The Junior 4s won again! They smashed the season, remaining unbeaten throughout. Year 8’s Maizie and Honor scored on the day, with Year 7’s Elodie being awarded Player of the Match.
The Junior 5 and 6 teams dominated the matches at Tuddenham Road. Both teams won and there were lots of goal to celebrate, including goals from Year 7’s Ella M and Poppy, and Year 8’s Betheny and Jemima D (2) and hattrick hero of the day, Year 8’s Alice.
Well done to all the players in Year 7 and 8 who attended practices regularly. We are very proud of the progress, commitment, motivation and team spirit you have shown all term.
