Goals Galore, Hattricks and Highlights from our Junior, 1st, U14 and U15 Hockey
Our Boys Hockey season is well and truly underway, beginning with a big bang!
After a couple of weeks of preparation and team selections, it was time to play this week. Luckily the very cold snap also passed and there was no way frozen pitches could interfere. Sadly, a very late cancelation by the opposition left us with only one U15 team rather than two taking the field this week, but they made it count. More about this later. First, let’s celebrate our Junior Boys teams, with many players playing their first Hockey match for Woodbridge School.
Goals Galore for Junior 1 – 4 Teams
Our Junior 1 to 4 teams travelled to Framlingham College for their first matches of the season on Wednesday. It was a goal fest on the blue pitch, with 35 goals score across the four games – and of course we’re very happy to report, most by Woodbridge School!
Sadly, the Junior 1 boys didn’t get off to the flying start they’d hoped for, but after a few early goals took the wind out of our sails, the boys showed resilience and grit and came back strong in the second half. Improved ball speed and faster decision making saw the team create chances but unable to convert. Another plus to take into the next meeting with Fram College was good execution of a specific half-time tactic, to try nullifying a power player. A good first experience for our players to learn what level of intensity and skill will be required for the rest of the season. Our joint Players of the Match were Year 8’s Joseph and Griff for influential performances in their area of the pitch.
In contrast, the Junior 2 team were the ones to take the game away from Fram in the opening exchanges, with well converted goals. The team scored well-worked team goals, from build-up play or counter-attacks at regular intervals, achieving a very convincing win in their opening game. Year 8 goalkeeper Oliver B must be commended for a very good performance in goal, making stunning saves and ensuring his team can run away with it. Goals for the team were scored by Year 7’s Oliver W and Jack F (2), and our Player of the Match, Year 8’s Michael, scored four! Fun fact – four goals scored by one player is called a haul.
The Junior 3 and Junior 4 teams completely dominated their opponents from Fram College in high scoring games. For the
Junior 3 team, goals were scored by Year 7’s Barney while a brace (2), hattrick (3) and a haul (4) was scored by Year 8’s Giles, George L and Otis respectively! Superb play from these boys.
Year 8’s Oliver C was another ‘hattrick hero’ on the day, supported by fellow goal scorers for the Junior 4 team, Year 8’s Alex W (2) and George T, as well as Year 7’s Jess and James C.
Well done to all the boys who gave their all on a chilly afternoon.
1st Team U18 County Cup
Thursday was a busy day which saw our 1st, U14 and U15 teams in action. The Senior 1st team were finally together after some disruption due to mock exams for the Year 11 and Year 13 players. It was to be a day of success, learning and progress and some frustration and disappointment at the U18 County Cup. A good start to the tournament saw the team achieve a win and a draw, setting things up nicely. However, a loss in the third match thanks to some clinical short corners from the opposition, put pressure on the final match against Ipswich School.
The team pushed hard and played some excellent Hockey but could not penetrate the final line of defence regularly enough to create enough clear chances to open a gap. When everything was done pretty much right, the luck just didn’t go our way, but that’s sport!
The goal that separated the sides came early on, against the run of play on a counter-attack. The team didn’t succeed in their target of progressing but put down a strong statement to opponents they will face again; there is more to come which is very exciting.
Well done to this group who learned lots on the day and played very hard for each other. Congratulations to players who made their first team debut, Year 12’s Alisdair, Ethan and Harry and Year 11’s Theo. Thanks also to Year 13’s Alfie and Luca who led the team well to set us off on the season ahead.
Woodbridge U14 vs Fram College
A motivated U14 team, consisting predominantly of Year 9 players, travelled to Fram College yesterday, eager to get their first match played.
Plans were nearly scuppered by a flooded pitch, but the heavens cleared, and we could get underway. A nervous and inexperienced start from Woodbridge saw Fram dominate the first ten minutes and Arthur had to be on top form in goal. Frank gave us our first attack and all of a sudden there was a lot more confidence to take on the fierce opponent. An end-to-end game ensued with Woodbridge probably playing the better hockey; transferring round the back, passing between midfielders and playing balls through to forwards.
A good press meant lots of ball was won in mid-field and when Fram did get through, Barnaby, Henri, Milo and Year 8’s Joseph got in the way to intercept or tackle. In centre mid-field Pranav and George C-O started to build a good understanding, moving the ball well between them. Alex H at right mid was influential and powerful. Both teams had shots, Fram more than us, but super goalkeeping by Arthur and Seth kept us in the game.
A goal conceded in each half meant it was a loss, but so much gained in experience and now belief that the team will test anyone they play. A number of players were in contention for Player of the Match but in the end it was Year 8’s Joseph who took the honors.
Well done to Harry who played his first ever hockey match and Sam C who played his first game on pitch, having been a goalkeeper before.
Thanks to parents who braved the cold, wet evening to support the team. We are looking forward to the season ahead.
Woodbridge U15 vs RHS
The U15B team took on the A team from RHS and came away with the winning honors . It’s always a tough match playing away at RHS, but our team stood strong to came out victorious! Well done to Year 10’s Liam and Ted for scoring our goals.
